“Calligraphies in Conversation” art exhibition fosters new dialogue between Islamic and Far Eastern calligraphic arts and artists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ms. Raeshma Razvi Tel: 408-966-2046, Email: Raeshma.razvi@gmail.com
Opening reception: March 15, from 5:30-7:30 pm ICCNC: 1433 Madison St., Oakland, CA March 1, 2014--Oakland, CA: On Saturday, March 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC), the art exhibition “Calligraphies in Conversation” will open with a public reception.
The exhibition is one of the few of its kind exploring connections between calligraphy traditions and practices from Islamic cultures and Far Eastern ones, mainly Chinese and Japanese. ICCNC is cooperating with partner organizations Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) and Ziya Art Center on this unique event, and one of its purposes is to create bridges between people in Oakland through unique, high quality cultural events.
Says Director of Art & Culture at ICCNC, Raeshma Razvi, “With OACC and ICCNC close in proximity, the worlds of the Muslim communities and Chinatown can yet seem so far away. This project is an opportunity for us to showcase the deeply regarded place that calligraphy holds for both Chinese and Islamic culture while also encouraging community members to visit our respective cultural institutions and meet each other.” To this end, a small portion of artwork will be showcased at OACC from March 15 through the end of April. OACC and ICCNC will also collaborate on youth art-making projects with their youth communities that attend their respective Saturday classes.
Tamiko Wong, Executive Director of OACC says, “This is a meaningful project for us because it allows us to explore connections between Islamic and Chinese cultures. This collaboration will bridge the lived experiences and histories of both cultures, and highlight the beauty of calligraphy and its significance as both an art form and a tool of cultural expression.”
Over 55 artworks will be on display at ICCNC, with approximately 30 of them representing Islamic calligraphy and 25 Far Eastern. A range of diverse traditions and styles are exhibited, with an array of Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Arabic, Persian, and Turkish traditional calligraphy artworks as well as manifestations of calligraphy in some contemporary and abstract art pieces. Co-curators Arash Shirinbab and Neal Jamal Koga assembled the collection over many months, in a competitive process that yielded 115 submissions from the U.S., United Kingdom, China, Iran, Japan, and Turkey. Says Koga, “It was wonderful to find that so many of these fine artists, working in a wide range of styles between the traditional and the innovative, live and work in our own Bay Area. At the same time I consider it our good fortune to have gained the attention and the artistic contributions of those calligraphers in other parts of the U.S. as well as abroad.”
“The arts are crucial to bridging cultures,” says Shiranbab, curating his third show at ICCNC. “And these artists are playing a cultural ambassador role participating in this exhibit. They represent the calligraphic art of their culture and start a conversation with artists of other cultures through their artwork.”
Renowned artist and cultural ambassador himself, Master calligrapher Haji Noor Deen will be the featured guest during the opening reception. Visiting from Henan Province, China, Noor Deen will demonstrate in person his particular genius for synthesizing elements from both Chinese and Arabic calligraphic traditions.
His dynamic presentations have brought him audiences from Harvard to Henan, and his work is collected worldwide. At the opening reception on Saturday, March 15 (5:30-7:30 pm at ICCNC in Oakland) attendees can view the artwork and meet other local artists. Refreshments will be served, and the reception is open to all and is free of charge. The exhibition opens March 15th and closes on May 3rd, and is open for viewing only on Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm.
This exhibition was funded in part with support from the Alliance of California Traditional Arts (ACTA), East Bay Community Foundation, City of Oakland Cultural Funding program, The San Francisco Foundation, and other generous community donors.
Viewing details, press contact information, and other events taking place: Contact Information: Press inquiries, please contact:Ms. Raeshma Razvi, email: raeshma.razvi@gmail.com, TEL: 408-966-2046
Exhibition Viewing HoursThe exhibition will be open for viewing on Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm between March 15th and May 3rd.
Special viewing hours can be arranged in advance to accommodate groups. Contact: Raeshma Razvi Other Related Events Taking Place at ICCNC During the Exhibition:
*Saturday, April 12 at 1 to 3 pm Artist Demonstration and Talk between Arash Shirinbab of Ziya Studios and Justin Hoover, curator at SOMArts Gallery.
*Saturday, April 26 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm:“Calligraphy and Transcendentalism.” Sufi teacher Robert Abdul Hayy Darr presents a visual slideshow and lecture on art and spirit. ($5 admission)
*Saturday May 3 Theatrical premiere of ‘The Fifth String: Ziryab’s Passage to Cordoba”
Join us for this unique play and it will be the last chance to see exhibition(Cost and time: TBA) ICCNC is near Lake Merritt at 1433 Madison St., Oakland CA. Limited parking is available. BART stations are nearby.
Acknowledgments: Alliance of California Traditional Arts, East Bay Community Foundation, Islamic Art Exhibit, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, City of Oakland Cultural Funding program, San Francisco Foundation, Silkworm Media and Ziya Multicultural Art Center.
