Read! Your Lord is the Most Gracious, Who taught by the Pen, taught man what he knew not.- Al-Qur'an 96:3-5. This quote reads on one of the walls of the Islamic Calligraphy & the Qur’an exhibit at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Mohamed Zakariya demonstrates the skill and proficiency that is necessary to accomplish the fluidity contained inside the Islamic calligraphy. Calligraphy is of no doubt the most admired art form from Islam. The pen tool is usually made out of reeds, bamboo, or etc. The pen must be sharp and shaved to a particular point and angle.
Mr. Zakariya uses precise movement in the short film showing rhythmic and fluid strokes. Just by watching him create short manuscripts one will feel a sense of tranquility. The calligrapher balances the smooth yet sharp notes in his art form. The Qur’an elevated the status of all books and the art of writing. Every calligrapher has a unique quality of writing and it is connected to the writer’s character and piety.
All the materials used in Islamic calligraphy have a spiritual and special meaning. For the finials on certain pens the turban demonstrates connections between Sufi orders and the Calligrapher. Some scissors were shaped in the shape of an “O O” for O! Opener! ( Ya Fatteh ) this hints towards God’s capacity to open gates and overcome obstacles.
My favorite quotation was “Strive that the fingers of your hand will write what is good” – Ibn Al Bawwab I took this as work hard and always try your best and when you think you did your best know you can do better than that.
No comments:
Post a Comment