Dubai Shopping Festival 2004 to showcase unique exhibition on The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

As part of its participation in the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) for the straight ninth year with a variety of cultural and edutainment programmes, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is organizing a unique international exhibition on ‘The Art of Arabic Calligraphy’ starting from January 15.

The month-long exhibition is one of the main attractions of the programmes lined up by the department for this year’s edition of the trend-setting retailing and recreational extravaganza.

The exhibition is being organized in cooperation with the Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), part of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) with a membership of over 140 countries.

Details of the exhibition were announced by the DTCM Manager Events and Supervisor of the Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, Mr. Marwan bin Beyat at a Press conference held at the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House – the venue of the exhibition.

Also present were Mr. Mohammed Al Tamimi, Representative of IRCICA, and Dr. Nabil Fathi Safwat, Professor of History of Islamic Art.

Mr. bin Beyat said: “Arabic calligraphy is one of the fundamental and most respected art forms in the Arab and Islamic arts. This exceptional collection of works by the contemporary calligraphers will offer insights into the art of Arabic calligraphy and its contribution in the Arab and Islamic history. This show fulfils the need for creating further awareness about the rich and varied Arab and Islamic arts and culture.”

He added: “The exhibition provides a perfect platform for learning about the entire spectrum of Arabic calligraphy, its history and evolution, and development and influences of different calligraphic styles– Thuluth, Kufi, Diwani, Naskh and Taliq.”

Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch the calligraphers live in action and learn calligraphy in addition to the making of special paper, Al Marmari, along with calligraphy on different metals and wood. Some of the calligraphic works will be on sale.

A documentary film on the calligraphy, produced by the IRCICA, will be screened at the venue. There will be a display of materials used in calligraphy like special paper, reed and brush pens, inkpots and sharpening tools.

Mr. Al Tamimi said over 100 selected works of three generations of calligraphers from seven Arab and Islamic countries will be showcased at the exhibition.

Twenty one distinguished calligraphers will be personally participating in the exhibition showcasing their most representative works of creativity. Works of three women calligraphers and illuminators are part of the show.

He said twelve of the participating calligraphers are from Turkey followed by the UAE with three, two each from Iraq and Syria, and one each from Jordan and Sudan. Eight Turkish calligraphers and one Iranian calligrapher have sent in their works for display.

Prof. Fathima Darman, a Turkish expert specializing in the use of liquid gold in the calligraphic works will conduct sessions to explain the art.

There will be a total of three calligraphy workshop during the month-long exhibition and also lectures by Dr. Ali Alp Arsalan of Turkey on the art of calligraphy during the exhibition.

Explaining the history and evolution of Arabic calligraphy, Dr. Nabil Safwat said: “The Arabic calligraphy enjoys high esteem among all the Arab and Islamic art forms. Arabic calligraphy is the art of elegant writing or inscribing letters in a cultivated, artistic and stylized proportion.”

He added: “Calligraphy is the quintessential visual art form of the Islamic world. Calligraphy presents the beauty and the essential aesthetic dimensions of the Arabic letters.”

He said the exhibition reflects the great interest and support the Arabic calligraphy was getting from the UAE intellectuals and art connoisseurs.

He thanked the DTCM for this latest initiative of bringing an important chapter of the Arab and Islamic heritage and arts.

Mr. Al Tamimi said: “The IRCICA is involved in promoting the various aspects of the Islamic arts. Of these, the arts of calligraphy and illumination receive a priority and a special importance in its programmes and activities.”

He added: “The centre has also produced a major book entitled ‘The Art of Calligraphy in the Islamic Heritage’ which illustrates the historical development of the art of calligraphy right from its early pre-Islamic origins.”

Thanking the DTCM for its interest and support to preserve and promote Arab and Islamic culture, he said the cooperation between the DTCM and IRCICA for the calligraphy exhibition signals the start of long-term relations between the two organizations.

He said this will be IRCICA’s second participation in Dubai after a series of successful Islamic art shows across the AGCC states in 1992.

The exhibition is open to the public from 5 pm to 10 pm daily. There is no entry fee for the visitors.