Three-day seminar will offer an overview of Arab civilisations, arts and crafts and traditional and modern calligraphy at Emirates Palace.
Abu Dhabi 14 to 16 June, 2008 - Emirates Palace
Dubai, UAE - After the success of Picasso's Century, Canvas Education is proud to announce Introduction to Islamic Art. Over three days of seminars conducted by leading authorities on the subject, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn more about early Arab civilisations, Islamic arts and crafts and traditional and modern Arabic calligraphy. The seminar will take place from 14-16 June 2008 at the Emirates Palace hotel, Abu Dhabi and is supported by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Sorouh.
Introduction to Islamic Art will be broken down into three distinct days of unique lectures.
Day 1 - Introduction to Islamic Art: Arab Civilisations
World-renowned experts from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and the Université de Paris will lay the foundations for understating the meaning of Islamic art, reveal the zenith of art and architecture from the Umayyad and Abbasid periods and explain the foundations of Islamic archaeology in the Gulf.
Day 2 - The Reach of Islam: Arts and Crafts
Lecturers from the Nasser D Khalili Collection, Sotheby's and the Islamic Art Journal will offer insight into the art of the Kiswa, the cloth covering of the Ka'bah, the tradition of ceramics and metalwork, illustrated literature from the region and the trends and history of Islamic collecting.
Day 3 - Calligraphy: From Traditional to Modern
Authorities from the region as well as international institutions such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, take on the historical value and resurgence of calligraphy. Highlights include the aesthetics and moral traditions behind the practice, its role in amulets and protection and a workshop demonstrating the basic rules, tools and materials.
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Canvas Magazine, Ali Khadra said, "After receiving encouraging feedback from the Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Art seminar last January, we trust this is the perfect time to invest in the appreciation of the tradition and historical significance of Islamic art. With the resurgence of calligraphy and geometric art in modern works, this seminar is the perfect starting point for art collectors and enthusiasts to cultivate their passion."
He added, "We are especially pleased with the lecturers, who are renowned experts from respected institutions such as Dr Ernst J Grube from the Islamic Art Journal, Dr Doris Behrens-Abouseif of the SOAS and Dr Venetia Porter from the British Museum amongst other top international specialists."
More information, including the synopsis of modules, speakers' profiles and applications, is available on www.canvasonline.com/education.htm
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About Canvas Education
Canvas Education is a new department at Mixed Media Publishing. Canvas Education's objectives are to build a platform of informed collectors in the Middle East, promote appreciation of art, influence key players within the regional art market and enhance the level of art and culture. Canvas Education is a regional initiative that organises short-term seminars for art lovers on various art subjects in the Middle East and around the world. Our aim is also to raise awareness on Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern art in the world. Canvas Education has previously organised the following seminars in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City: Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, Smart Collecting and Understanding Jewellery & Watches (Dubai and Abu Dhabi only) along with Picasso's Century in Abu Dhabi. For more information, please visit www.canvasonline.com/education.htm
About Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH)
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is the institution in charge of looking after, conserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi. ADACH's strategy has identified the main critical issues affecting the sustainability and development of Abu Dhabi's culture and heritage and emphasised vital goals across several disciplines such as education, media, the promotion of literature and the arts, the encouragement of artistic creativity, safeguarding cultural assets, the development of museums, the promotion of archaeological research, the planning of historic urban quarters, the management of cultural landscapes, the conservation and promotion of the intangible heritage and the development of cultural tourism.
About Sorouh
Sorouh Real Estate PJSC, one of the UAE's leading real estate developers, was established on 26 June, 2005. Sorouh's signature project is Shams Abu Dhabi, a $6.8 billion landmark development on Reem Island. Other world class master-planned projects include The Gate District, a cluster of eight towers at the entrance to Shams Abu Dhabi, Golf Gardens overlooking the Abu Dhabi Golf course, Saraya, located on the prestigious Abu Dhabi Corniche and Al-Ghadeer, an oasis of easy living on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
For more information, please contact:
Mixed Media Publishing,
PO Box 500487, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9714 367 1693
Fax: +971 4 367 2645
Email: seminars@mixed-media.com,
Website: www.canvasonline.com/education.htm
© Press Release 2008
