25 November 2020
Bahrain Culture Authority Celebrates International Day of Islamic Art, H.E Shaikha Mai: We celebrate this remarkable Islamic Art day whose initiative idea started and was launched from Muharraq, an art that is deeply -rooted and served as window open to the four corners of the world
On the International Day of Islamic Art, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities launched, on 25 November 2020, a series of first time ever scheduled events celebrating this deep-rooted art to be held both at the Art Center and at Bahrain National Museum. H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of BACA, diplomats, as well as culture figures and enthusiasts attended the opening ceremony.
In a special inaugural speech addressed to the attendants of the “Arts of the Islamic World” exhibition, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Ms. Audrey Azoulay, expressed her thanks to the Kingdom of Bahrain for organizing such an amazing exhibition on a remarkable day, calling for exploring the beauty and authenticity of the masterpieces showcased. UNESCO Director also expressed the organization’s sense of pride while taking part in this display given the various exceptional and unique diversity of the Islamic creative arts, the talented artists who have masterminded an innovative artistic metaphors and forms, revisiting and re-inventing ancient traditions in a modern and cutting-edge refined ways and tools. "This year, we are marking International Day of Islamic Art for the first time. This Day was proclaimed in order to celebrate together this exceptional heritage, spanning fourteen centuries, which continues to renew and reinvent itself, and influence cultures around the world.” Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said.
UNESCO Dircetor-General also argued that this opulent volume of exhibition art works from illustrated and illuminated manuscripts culled from important public and private collections offers a thorough introduction to the wonders of Islamic art, a story of exchange, dialogue inviting the whole world to come together and discover the beauty of this magical Islamic art. Masterpieces – illuminated manuscripts and paintings, drawings and inscriptions, metal receptacles, ceramics and woodcarvings – represent more than a thousand years of Islamic cultural history reflected in this exhibition , which includes some of the most spectacular works of Islamic art and scholarship, can only be a metamorphose of the creative mind of every participating artist, Ms. Azoulay added.
H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa said : “ It is the first time that we celebrate the International of Islamic Art, whose initiative idea started and launched from the city of Muharraq, Capital of Islamic Culture 2018, and approved and adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference last year”.
H.E added saying: “This day reflects the deeply-rooted history of Islamic art that succeed to build bridges of communication between all peoples throughout history around the four corners of the world, contributing, thus, in enriching the civilizational scene and reality of many peoples and certainly led to the emergence of new types of aesthetic beauty in many countries”. H.E also pointed out that many international museums around the world dedicate special sections dedicated to Islamic art exhibitions, introducing visitors to this magnificent beauty of this art and its genuine identity traits.
In addition, H.E thanked GFH Financial Group for its generous support and sponsorship of the events dedicated to celebrate the International Day of Islamic Art, extending her thanks to all the participants in this program, including artists, BACA’s experts and high profile staff, stressing the importance of concerted efforts by a bright team.
Art and Architecture Exhibitions from the Gulf to the Ocean Regions.
The inspiring “Murals inspired by Islamic Art” exhibition, held at the exterior outdoor façade of the Art Center, was also inaugurated, showcasing the genuine beauty of Calligraphy is the art of decorative writing based on certain principles and techniques, a visual art that assembles words together in an attractive, cohesive and original manner. Twelve participating Bahraini artists have been commissioned to create original wall murals at the Art Center, namely Ali Albazzaz, Ali Maleeh, Ammar Almahmood, Husain Fateel, Injood Naji,Khalil Almadhoon,Mohamed Redha,Mohsen Ghareeb ,Moosa Alkhazzaz,Mustafa Alhalwachi, Murtadha Alsaken and Seema Baqi.
At Bahrain National Museum two exhibitions were inaugurated; “Arts from the Islamic World”, displaying the artworks of seven artists from Islamic cultural backgrounds; the Gulf region, North Africa, Andalusia (Spain) and Southeast Asia. The artists are Ibrahim Busaad and artist Ghada Khonji, from Bahrain, artist Ahmad Al-Angawi, Saudi Arabia, Nja Al-Mahdaoui, Tunisia, Elizabeth Bolza, Spain, Ghulam Mohammad, Pakistan and Lalla Al-Saadi, Morocco. There is no doubt that the artists are outstandingly inspired by Islamic heritage elements such as the Arabic language, textiles, handicrafts, architecture and others. The exhibition will also include works from the Collection of the Bahrain National Museum as well as loans from a number of private museums and collectors in the Kingdom.
The Second exhibition inaugurated at Bahrain National Museum shed lights on “ Al-Fadhel Minaret” mosque, a project supported by Her Highness Shaikha Maryam bint Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait. In addition, “ Al-Fadhel Minaret “exhibition presents the architectural and scientific methods of the restoration processes, while guided tour will showcase the inauguration of the restored Al-Fadhel Mosque minaret. Indeed, in an effort to restore its symbolic value and historical aesthetic, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is working on restoring the minaret of this historic mosque by reviving its original appearance and design.
Virtual International Panel Discussion on Global Perspectives on Islamic Art
Among festive events celebrating, the Day of Islamic Art held on Wednesday, 25 November, worth to mention also the virtual webinar or virtual international panel discussion on “Global Perspectives on Islamic Art Today” via Zoom. Indeed, this session shed lights on Islamic Art that is not a monotheistic style or movement; it spans 1,400 years. The panel discussion featured Dr. Heba Nayel Barakat - Head of Curatorial Affairs of the Islamic Art Museum – Malaysia, Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis - Interim Director of the Aga Khan Museum – Canada and Seif El-Rashidi - Director Barakat Trust - United Kingdom. This panel discussion aimed to navigate the large territory of what is considered Islamic art while discussing its definition, how audiences and the public engage with it today and what opportunities and possibilities lie ahead.
Movie Screenings Exploring Wonders and Secret Worlds of the Islamic Art
From the virtual world to the outdoor exterior yard of the National Museum where the public enjoyed their first movie-screening event shedding lights on Islamic art. The movie titled “Islamic Art - Mirrors of the Invisible World” Join an epic journey across 9 countries and over 1,400 years of history to present the stories behind the masterworks of Islamic art and architecture. Islamic Art carries with it, like all art, the fundamental values and perspectives of the artists who created it, as well as those who commissioned and paid for it. It incorporates the basic themes of transcendent beauty, common to all creative endeavors. Narrated by Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon, this dazzling documentary reveals the variety and diversity of Islamic art from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and Harvard University and Arthur M. Sackler Museum. It provides a window into Islamic culture, and brings broad insights to the enduing themes that have propelled the great march of human history and have fueled the rise of world civilization.
The second movie will be screened today, 26 November 2020, and is titled “Traces of the Soul”. Pre-registration is required to attend this event via BACA’s official website on www.cultrure.gov.bh . Through the eyes of twelve international artists, the award-winning documentary “Traces of the Soul” explores the world of contemporary calligraphy and why it is an increasingly relevant art form in this digital age. The film reveals how the art, philosophies and life stories of these artists, whose diverse works are rooted in the ancient traditions of calligraphy, reflect and engage with the modern world.
Cuisine from the Ancient Islamic World
From 25 November until 3 December 2020, Darseen Café at the Bahrain National Museum is happy to present a special menu of six dishes, each representing a cultural center within the ancient pan Islamic world having contributed to the rich artistic facet of the Islamic tradition. These dishes will represent the geographic centers of Xinjiang- China, Morocco – North Africa, Moghul India – the subcontinent, Andalusia, and the Malabar Coast. Be sure to book your spot to try these delicious and representative dishes while enjoying outdoor yard film screenings being shown at the Bahrain National Museum on the 25th, and 26th.
Worth mentioning that the world is celebrating Islamic Day of Islamic Art for the first time after the 40th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Paris, adopted and approved the proposal of the Kingdom of Bahrain regarding the 18th of November as International Day of Islamic Art, as part of celebrations of Muharraq as Capital of Islamic Culture.
