| Introduce
the basic Islamic Art forms with stress laid on choice of medium.Ask
questions(leading from simple to complex), reinforced with a slideshow
and a brief overview of its history:
Brief
Historical
Introduction:
The word “Islam” means “Peace”. Muslims are
Monotheists like Jews and early Christians. Its advent was in the year
610 A.D. when Prophet Muhammad S.A.A.S, who was born in 570A.D. in Saudi
Arabia, was given the message from Allah through the angel Jibraiel,
of this religion which is, by popular Muslim thought, the continuation
and completion of the other two religions. Muslims also believe in the
Prophets: Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus as well as the Holy Books that
were sent down on some of these Prophets. Islam thus becomes the last
rung in the ladder of the same religion that started with Adam.
The people of Arabia were simple and the initial upheavals faced by
the Muslims left no time for art and its production, which seemed the
last of their worries.Islam spread rapidly encompassing much of Africa,Europe
and Asia. As Art is an expression of a rising civilization thus in the
later years, acceptance and conquests produced time and brought in influences
and the Muslims turned towards literature and art.
The first and purest form of their art was calligraphy, as the Holy
message of Allah (God) had to be written down and the fervor to render
it in the most exquisite manner became the foremost thought in the calligraphers’
minds. The second artistic manifestation became architecture. The need
for the congregational prayer places was felt urgently at that time
and Masjids came into being. One can trace the changes in this form
of Islamic art, from the simple square “Kaaba”in Arabia
to the majestic and exquisite Al-Humbra in Spain and the Blue Mosque
in Turkey.
The art of Mughal or Islamic India in the (16th to 18th century) was
created with the fusion of the indigenous art and craft forms prevalent
in India and that of the conquering Muslim Monarchs who came from Persia
and brought with them their own artistic influences. Under the rule
of these monarchs, blossomed the most visible form of Islamic art and
architecture. These manifestations still stand and having withstood
the test of time are recognized the world over. The regions to which
these buildings belong are present day India and Pakistan (previously
known as the Indian Subcontinent). Under the rule of Emperors’
Akbar and Shah Jahan the Mughal art was epitomized.
Islamic art in India is one of the most successful, ancient examples
of art being used mostly for industrial purposes. It provided the artisans
a very lucrative livelihood. The geometric and Arabesque design were
used profusely in book bindings, manuscript illuminations, pottery and
for decorative architectural purposes in the majestic Masjids and Mausoleums
(tombs). The geometric designs were also used in the formation of the
architectural sites and the floor plans had a powerful geometric balance.
The artisans used marble, sandstone and wood for the carvings. The Muslims
created types of domes and arches which were used all over the world.
Calligraphy was not only used to illuminate only manuscripts and books
but also as architectural decoration. The flora and fauna patterns were
utilized in carpets, tiles and textile designing.
Art was specifically designed and produced by team effort of the local
artisans being guided by Persian teachers (ustaad) who oversaw the production
processes of all art forms. The classes were called (Ateliers) which
were well known and open to everyone who was talented and productive.
Here the artist also reached individual recognition for example: the
famous court artist Bihzad etc (to be studied in connection to the western
Bauhaus tradition of 1920's and 30's and other ancient art traditions,
in its evolution process)
Islam had many seats of learning in all fields of knowledge for examples
Fatehpur-Sikri in India under Emperor Akbar, Baghdad in Iraq, and the
present day Al-Azhar University in Egypt.Muslims are known for inventions
in many fields including astronomy,algebra,geometry and chemistry itself.
Muslims invented steel even before the world knew of it.
Islamic
Art in all its manifestations,like the religion itself,has not changed
much,specifically the 'aniconic' or nonfigural ornament, Quaranic calligraphy
and Masjid architecture which is and will always be the hallmarks of
Islamic Art.
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