Arts & Culture
Most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether it’s song, film, painting or poem. When we are touched, we become aware of a feeling that may not be familiar to us but which transports us to a different emotional space.
The art of calligraphy is one that embraces tradition, but it has also evolved over the ages. With the advent of computer graphics and other technologies, new perspectives on this timeless art form have afforded artists with opportunities to experiment.
Muslims have been a part of New York City, even before New York was a city. Records show that Muslims arrived in the area as part of the Dutch settlement, New Amsterdam, since the 1600s. Today, there are now over 300 registered mosques in the City. This is how the Muslim Tour of Harlem, a historic neighborhood in New York, begins. Katie Merriman, a doctoral student of religious studies at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill escorted a group of New York City Ismailis on a tour of 400 years of Muslim history in New York. On a three-hour walking tour, participants expanded their knowledge of how Muslims have contributed to their city and continue to do so.
The World Monuments Fund honoured Prince Amyn at the 31st annual Hadrian Gala on 23 October at the Rockefeller Center Plaza in New York City, in recognition of his lifelong support for cultural heritage.
“Diversity is not a burden to be endured, but an opportunity to be welcomed,” said Melia Belli, Associate Professor of South Asian art history at the University of Victoria, in her opening remarks. The occasion was the Islamic Art Symposium entitled “Intersections: Visual Cultures of Islamic Cosmopolitanism,” held at the Dallas Museum of Art between May 4-5. It was cosponsored with the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History, Islamic Art Revival Series, and the Aga Khan Council for the Central United States.
The Jubilee Arts Festivals, held in countries across the world and culminating in the International Arts Festival in Lisbon in the coming days, have engaged the creative talent of the global Jamat for the past year. This is the first undertaking of its kind, bringing together Ismailis from around the world to celebrate art, film, photography, dance, music, and other forms of artistic expression.
Qyrq Qyz (Forty Girls) is an epic poem in the tradition of famous works like the Iliad and The Odyssey.
A freethinker with hybrid ideas, Rafiq Bhatia’s work has left distinctive footprints in the musical world resulting in a vast following.
The National Jubilee Arts Festival in Los Angeles showcased 18 films of various genres including suspenseful thrillers and documentaries and themes ranging from hope and devotion to pursuing one’s dreams.
The concept of Stories: Our American Journey, was first conceived by a small group of individuals, including professional Ismaili artists, about a year ago.
A rare collection of Fatimid era (909-1171) colorful glass weights was presented to Mawlana Hazar Imam on the final Mulaqat of his USA visit, in Houston on March 22, 2018.
Atlanta welcomed springtime once again with an afternoon of activities at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.