The aura of Alif
Subtitle: the art of writing in Islam
By: edited by Jürgen Wasim Frembgen
Contributors: Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde München
Publisher: Prestel
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Munich; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 255
ISBN-13: 9783791350653; 9783791363097
Subjects: Islamic calligraphy; Catalogs; Catalogue d'exposition; Calligraphie; Islamic art; Writing in art; Arabic alphabet; Islam
Other titles: Art of writing in Islam
Description: Starting with the alifA", the first letter of the Arabic alphabet that symbolizes divine beauty and exploring the fascinating aesthetic qualities of calligraphy, the book presents the contextual and symbolic intentions of writing in religion, magic, and poetry. Writing surfaces include not only parchment, papyrus, and paper, but also ceramics, metal, stone, wood, leather, and textiles. Ranging from the early period of Islam to the 21st century, the book presents works from the art of the ruling elite to folk art and everyday aesthetics. Muslim cultures' artistic forms of expression are brought to life in this lavishly illustrated book, which includes contributions by renowned international experts in their field and explores the art of writing in Islam in all its richness and diversity. -- Product Description.
Notes: "This book has been published in conjuction with the exhibition "The Aura of Alif. The art of writing in Islam" 22.10.2010-20.02.2011. Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde München"--Colophon.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-245).