By Raynald C Rivera
Stunning contemporary works of art are displayed side by side with centuries-old artefacts which inspired their creation at the ‘Ferozkoh: Tradition and Continuity in Afghan Art’, which opens to the public today at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
The unique concept born out of a close partnership between MIA and Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture (TMI) in Kabul has proved that ancient objects made by people long ago can inspire and connect to the present generation of artists and artisans.
“Our vision for the museum is one of a platform for positive community involvement with the cultural heritage of the past, as well as the present,” said H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums Authority.
For the project, 16 students and teachers flew from Kabul in June last year for two weeks of research and workshop coming face to face with MIA’s collection, half of which were the products of four great dynasties with connections to Afghanistan: the Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals and Safavids.
The master artisans viewed and handle pieces from the collection; most of whom had only seen such works as pictures on a screen, or pages in a book. Alongside this engagement with masterpieces of Islamic art, museum staff discussed the techniques and history behind them. This visit created a dialogue between past and present, old and new, the richness of tradition and the vibrancy of modern Afghanistan.
What resulted are 39 unique works in various media which are now displayed for people to see until June 22 at the MIA temporary gallery.
Because of the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry of the contemporary works, MIA has decided to include them in their permanent collection while some would be auctioned at next edition of Reach Out To Asia (Rota) gala dinner, said MIA Director Aisha Al Khater.
The artists drew inspiration from various aspects of the historical artefacts, from patterns and textures to shapes and images.
A classic example is the lozenge motif of a 17th century Mughal carpet echoed in the hand-carved Nuristani panel made by one of the artisans.
Another artist whimsically interpreted the “cloud band” motif of a 15th century dish in a pendant, an elegantly filigreed cloud with a single “raindrop” of rough green morganite, quarried form the hills of the Panjshir region of Afghanistan.
Curated by MIA’s Dr Leslee Michelsen, a specialist in the arts of Medieval Iran and Central Asia, Ferozkoh is at once a celebration of the richness of Afghan cultural heritage and a reminder that there is more to Afghanistan than the familiar narratives of conflict.
“Ferozkoh is an expo that looks back to the past, engages with the present and is full of hope for the future. This is part of the mission of MIA and a hopeful message for the future of Afghanistan,” said Michelsen, who volunteered teaching Islamic art history at TMI in 2006.
“Afghanistan is known for its extraordinary heritage and art but very few have the chance to see them. The artists are extremely talented who studied art their whole lives and what they produce can stand on world stage,” said Tommy Wide, Country Director of TMI.
Established in 2006 at the request of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Turquoise Mountain Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation specialising in urban regeneration, business development and education in traditional arts and architecture.
“Through the exhibition, MIA provides Afghan art and crafts international exposure it needs to show Afghanistan can create such works of international standards,” said Wide.
The unifying theme of the exhibition is the preservation of the traditional arts of the Islamic world – in both themes and materials – in the modern world, and the role of education in its transmission and translation.
The exhibition is complemented by a number of associated events, including a Kite Festival at the MIA Park on Friday and an Afghan-themed film series featuring Oscar-nominated Buzkashi Boys.
There will be a special two-day academic conference focusing on Afghan arts and cultural heritage. Specifically it will cover a variety artistic production within each of the dynasties presented in the show, as well as investigations into cultural heritage issues in contemporary Afghanistan, with contributions from a number of international experts.
A catalogue, published in both English and Arabic, has been produced both as a guide to the exhibition and an essential work for anyone interested in the arts and crafts of Afghanistan, both ancient and modern.
Opened yesterday by Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed Al Thani, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Authority, Ferozkoh is one of the events being held in connection with the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture.
Aisha Al Khater said that Ferozkoh is only one of the events organised by MIA to engage the new generation with Islamic art, adding the expo will travel to the UK.
“We don’t want the objects just in the glass box, but let the present and future generations get inspired by them,” she said.
