THE BEAUTY OF ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY

Arabic art is known throughout the world for its geometric modernity and calligraphic pre-eminence. It can be seen in mosaiced tiles, paintings, sculpture, on fabric and in the architectural elegance of some of the most renowned buildings such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Al- Hambra in Spain. Over time, Arabic civilization brought about the easy movement of artisans and led to the interchange of artistic ideas and techniques. Arabic patrons everywhere appreciated exuberant and colorful decoration. The extravagant use of color, particularly tiles, is one of the hallmarks of Arabic architecture.

Calligraphy began in 7th Century and was always seen as a noble art, much revered and desired. Arabic calligraphers integrate inner experiences with their experiences of external reality. By imbuing strokes with life and feeling, an equilibrium of energy flows from all composing elements. A calligrapher's integration of inner and external realities results in a very personalized style and is accompanied by concentrated and unremitting scholarly study. The development of a calligraphy style is as unique as the calligrapher's personality, and its achievement is considered as the representation.

There are many styles of calligraphy; the Kufic, Deewan, Maghrebi and Naskh are just a few. All have been used for centuries and are still being used today. Writing is a powerful tool, the very essence of human history. Writing bridged the gap between the ephemeral and the eternal. In eastern cultures letters were shrouded with mysticism. Take the Egyptians and their hieroglyphs, the Sumerians and their script embedded in clay, the Chinese and their brushstrokes and the Arabic development of point to line, of light to movement. All believed the words were gateways to something greater.

With Arabic calligraphy the three elements of point, line and circle, the geometric structural principles that govern their inter-relationships unified all Arabic art.



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