Modern
Arab art at a glance, the star Kofi Attah (Jordan)
ART is the buzzword
of communication. Paintings have become vital as a form of interaction
in a rapidly moving world. Today, it is the visual images that speak
out. They disseminate the message as fast as light.
In contemporary
Arab societies, visual art has come to occupy a crucial place in
the field of creativity and intellectual exploration. The emergence
of this new mode of pictorial expression adopted by the Arabs has
brought about numerous changes since the beginning of the century,
and led to the concept of modernism.
Today, art has
a significant role in the study of the sources of creativity in
present Arab societies at every level, that include the aesthetic
and ideological. The artist, as an individual creator with a specific
style and mode of expression, has sought to drive his message across
to his audience
and all those interested in art.
Irrefutably,
Arab art is expressed in a visual language, emanating from the interdependence
of various cultures which are born from the movement of different
people from the world. The combined cultural influence of Europe,
Africa and Asia has reflected sophistication and adornment.
It is therefore
appropriate for Darat Al Funun to display the works of selected
contemporary Arab artists as part of its decade of existence. The
10th anniversary celebration exhibition features, photography, paintings,
sculpture and ceramics. Forty-seven different artists with 47 very
different
approaches to their works-most of them combine in their works the
influence of East and West.
There are many
artists, Jordanian and others, whose exile outside their countries
has impact on their works. They give prominence to scenes taken
from social life and historical events by means of figurative signs.
The Jordanian
artist, Nabil Shehadeh lives in Sweden, his native Jordan has inspired
most of his abstract paintings. Others such as the Syrian Marwan
Kassab Bachi, who lives in Berlin translates his profound sensibilities,
beyond any form of mimesis and reveals his human experiences in
an irresistible manner.
The exhibition
under the theme, 'The 10th Anniversary of Contemporary Arab Artists
"is loaded with painters whose recent works extend a decade's
enquiry into the passionate relation of the abstract and reality,
in which the intimate is as much in the frame as the great political
and social events that shape them.
Other artists
include the Palestinian,i. His native Jerusalem has inspired many
of his water colors. On the other hand, the Jordanian Rafiq Lahham
is much influenced by his surroundings which he portrays in his
etchings.
However, it
is to the Assistant Director of Darat Al Funun, that particular
attention must be paid.
Adnan Sharif
is a painter with a talent far beyond his generation. "My paintings
are musical" he says. During the 1993 Jerash musical festival
he went on stage to synchronize his 2m x 1m paintings with the on-going
music that thrilled many musical fans at the concert.
Some of the
artists find their inspiration in popular imagery. This is found
in the visual universe of the Tunisian Gouider Triki whose works
are based on the poetical elements of the image. The Moroccan Muhammad
Kacim and the Egyptian Adam Henein who paint scenes with a great
liberty of interpretation, all adopt a signifying figuration.
The exhibition
is a single unity devoted to Arab art. The works of 21 artists are
seen in the blue house and the rest of the 26 are displayed in the
lower halls of the foundation where video screen shows the many
exhibitions Darat Al Funun has devoted to the innovating Arab artists.
Two giant boards in impressive green, black and yellow colors, which
display various pictures of figures.
Darat Al Funun
is dedicated to promoting contemporary creativity in the widest
sense, bringing various forms of artistic expression together and
relating creation and form to each other. In 10 years of intense
activity, it has become an essential venue for those interested
in contemporary arts.
The contemporary
venue assembles various Arab artists living in different parts of
the world in a context that modern Arab arts are evolved. Though
it is difficult to give an inventory of all the approaches since
the very beginning, it has vividly revealed the creative dynamism
of ideas
underlying modern Arab culture.
Finally it demonstrates
what can be attained through individuals. This can be seen through
the works of Ammar Khammash, a painter and an architect, who helped
in the renovating works of Darat Al Funun. Or the Sudanese who has
specialized in graphic arts and who now lives and teaches arts in
the USA.
Organizations
and cultures working together, 12/3/1998.
Copyright © 1998 Worldsources Online, Inc.
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