# Institut du Monde Arabe

The Institut du Monde Arabe (French pronunciation:, Arab World Institute; abbr. IMA) is an organisation founded in Paris in 1980 by France with 18 Arab countries to research and disseminate information about the Arab world and its cultural and spiritual values. The Institute was established as a result of a perceived lack of representation for the Arab world in France, and seeks to provide a secular location for the promotion of Arab civilization, art, knowledge, and aesthetics. Housed within the institution are a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, offices and meeting rooms.

## History

The IMA is located in a building known as the Institut du Monde Arabe, the same name as the institute, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally, the project was conceived in 1973 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. The museum was constructed between 1981 and 1987 under the presidency of French President Francois Mitterrand as part of his urban development series entitled, the "Grands Projets." The Institute promotes cooperation and exchanges between France and the Arab nations, particularly in the areas of science and technology, contributing to the understanding between the Arab world and Europe. Libya joined the institute in 1984. The IMA was inaugurated on November 30, 1987 by President Mitterrand.
The IMA is a member of the Forum of Foreign Cultural Institutes in Paris and Exchanges and Radio Productions (EPRA). It is sometimes nicknamed the “Arab Beaubourg”, in reference to the national center of art and culture Georges-Pompidou, known as the Beaubourg center.
In 2016, the IMA opened a branch in Tourcoing.
The director of the institute is M. Chawki Abdelamir.

## Architecture

The building was constructed from 1981 to 1987 and has floor space of 181,850 square feet (16,894 m$^2$). The Architecture-Studio together with Jean Nouvel, won the 1981 design competition. This project is a result of funds from both the League of Arab States and the French government, with the cost of the building totaling around €230,000,000. The building acts as a buffer zone between the Jussieu Campus of Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris VI), built in large rationalist urban blocks, and the Seine. The river façade follows the curve of the waterway, reducing the hardness of a rectangular grid and offering an inviting view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building appears to fold itself back in the direction of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district.
In contrast to the curved surface on the river side, the southwest façade is an uncompromisingly rectangular glass-clad curtain wall. It faces a large square public space that opens in the direction of the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame. Visible behind the glass wall, a metallic screen unfolds with moving geometric motifs. The motifs are actually 240 photo-sensitive motor-controlled apertures, or shutters, which act as a sophisticated brise soleil that automatically opens and closes to control the amount of light and heat entering the building from the sun. The mechanism creates interior spaces with filtered light — an effect often used in Islamic architecture with its climate-oriented strategies. The innovative use of technology and success of the building's design catapulted Nouvel to fame and is one of the cultural reference points of Paris.
The building was the recipient of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence. Jury members included historian Oleg Grabar.

## Presidents

* Jean Basdevant (1979–1980)
* Philippe Ardant (1980–1985)
* Pierre Guidoni (1985–1986)
* Paul Carton (1986–1988)
* Edgard Pisani (1988–1995)
* Camille Cabana (1995–2002)
* Denis Bauchard (2002–2004)
* Yves Guéna (2004–2007)
* Dominique Baudis (2007–2009)
* Dominique Baudis and Bruno Levallois (2009–2011)
* Renaud Muselier and Bruno Levallois (2011–2013)
* Jack Lang (2013–present)

## Museum

Within the museum are objects from the Arab world ranging from before Islam through into the twentieth century. One of the main initiatives within the museum is the inclusion of special exhibitions.

### Special exhibitions

* 1991 Fahrelnissa Zeid as part of the Trois Femmes Peintres exhibition.
* 2016
** Osiris: The Submerged Mysteries of Egypt
** Voices of animals: the fables of Kalila and Dimna
** Nomadic Sculpture by Rodolphe Hammadi
** First biennial of contemporary Arab photography
** CoeXist
* 2017
** 'Masterpieces of Modern and Contemporary Arab Art' by the Barjeel Art Foundation

## In popular culture

Michel Houellebecq sets a pivotal scene in his novel Submission at a reception held in the Institute's rooftop restaurant and terrace.

## Awards

In 2018, the IMA won the Cultural Personality of the Year from the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.