Reflections from the sky, meditations on earth: Modern Arab Calligraphic art

This is the title of the current exhibition at the Museum of the Imperial Forums in Trajan’s Markets in Rome.

The exhibition shows to the European public the art school, based on the use of Arabic alphabet, where each letter has its own individual meaning. Not pure calligraphy then, but pure pictorial art, that interpreted the elegance of the Arabic alphabet. They are  masterpieces of the permanent collection of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, by permission of its Director, of the ’Embassy of Jordan, the Foundation Roma Mediterraneo and Italian-Arab Chamber of Commerce, who  learned and realized the desire of Jordanian Princess Wijdan Al Hashemi. 75works  are exhibited to the public, but the 57 artists don’t come only from the Arab world: they have been selected from 18 different countries, and 10 of them were trained in Italy.



 The artists tell the visitors the unique style of this art, deeply rooted in Arab cultural history and adapted to the present with the use of current techniques and materials.

The works displayed may be classified as contemporary art, but their origins date back fifteen centuries ago, when the Arabic writing became an autonomous form of art , with its own rules, classifications and variations. It was used in manuscripts, to adorn buildings, to decorate glassware, ceramics, metal and wood, jewelry and countless more surfaces. Two are the themes: Sacred and Profane.

The exhibition is open to the public until June 10. Here are the opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 9.00 am - 7.00 pm. the admission costs  € 11 (Full) or € 9 (Concession)

Source and Photo: http://en.mercatiditraiano.it