WHEN ART WAS TABOO - A Lost Arab History
Channel: The Kandari Chronicles
Date: 17/12/2023

How can any culture or civilisation exist without art and free visual expression for over 12 centuries? 

Islamic civilisation did. 

Restricted with calligraphy and geometry as the only viable forms of artistic creativity, muslim people were challenged in visually documenting and telling their stories for the many generations to follow. This has led to the loss of much knowledge and records. Let's clarify, not a loss, as not much was created, but loss of a potential differing narrative that could have expressed the identity of Muslims in a way that words could not. A narrative that told more accurately the history of that part of the world over the many centuries, from the rise of islam till the 20th century when photography eventually took over. 

This video tackles the challenges of how Islamic principles restricted artistic and visual production. Such restrictions might have been contextually necessary from a zeitgeist perspective, but maybe only necessary for that specific time. And as history moved on, what could have been more necessary was the establishment of visual narratives and records that challenge our modern impressions of Muslim society and civilisation throughout the last millennium. Records that contradict and correct the Western interpretation or misrepresentation of Arabs and Muslims that the world still holds as common. 

Thank you for watching the video and please do Join the Chronicles where we are trying our best to re-present Arab and Muslim cultural, historic and heritage stories in a modern and engaging method. 

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