The Dance of Quill and Ink - Contemporary Art in the Middle East
State Hermitage Museum
Rooms 28-32
Open: 10 Nov, 2007
Calligraphy, or writing as an art, plays a significant role in Islamic culture. Since the earliest centuries of Islam calligraphy was recognized a sacral art while Arabic had a status of the Divine revelation language.
Little by little calligraphy became part of Muslims' everyday life. The process was fostered by many religious and secular manuscripts, official documents, décor of buildings, inscriptions on objects of applied art made of ceramic, stones, glass, wood and textiles, in all of which the art of calligraphy was employed.
A new surge of interest in calligraphy in the artistic milieu of the Middle East marks the middle - second half of the 20th century. The Arabic script is to be seen in contemporary paintings and demonstrates the artists' return to national cultural traditions and national uniqueness. In their search for new compositions, forms and styles, the painters turn to calligraphy.
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