Calligraphy Qalam Blog

The Society of Scribes in New York City is holding a class in Arabic Script Calligraphy this spring. To register, visit http://www.societyofscribes.org/workshops.htm.

Course details:
March 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17
9:30 am – 3:30 pm
$350 Members / $390 Non-members
Skill Level: This course can be taken by beginners or intermediates, people familiar with the Arabic language and those unfamiliar. For more information, e-mail: registration@societyofscribes.org.

Description:
Arabic script has a long history and has developed into a highly refined artform. This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in dipping their toe into a vast ocean. We will by no means do more than begin the journey but we will do so in the classical method. Beginning with our eyes, we will view slides of fine samples of work. Using traditional tools we will begin the study of letterforms in Thuluth. Pens and paper will be available for purchase from the instructor. We will introduce techniques for cutting and trimming reed or bamboo pens. The letters are taught first as independent forms, then in connecting combinations. These lessons will be demonstrated and practiced in class and as homework. We will also work on a sentence to understand principals of phrasing and spacing.

Our emphasis will be on developing our use of the pen and ink on paper, to develop flow, followed by an understanding of the letterforms. Of course we will spend time viewing masterpieces of calligraphy throughout each class. We do not anticipate producing finished pieces in this class, but rather to work toward that goal in the future. The joy of being a student will be our inspiration.

Materials:
Higgins ink,
small (thin) bamboo brush (to be cut into a pen),
soft cushion as a writing surface (leather, packing sheets, large magazine),
pen knife (email instructor for info),
a small, wide mouth jar (meat baby food jars are perfect),
a soft pencil,
ruler, and lots of patience.

Paper and reeds for pens will be available for sale by the instructor for $6 – $12.

Instructor:
E A Holland is a freelance calligrapher and mother living in Rockland County NY. Although she specializes in Arabic calligraphy her work includes a wide range of subjects and styles, from envelopes to advertising, copperplate to brush. Elinor has taught adults and children calligraphy for the past 15 years.

All classes and workshops, except where indicated, are held at :

School of Visual Arts (SVA) Annex
214 East 21st Street, Manhattan
(between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)

Letters of Love, the U.S. debut exhibition of Wissam Shawkat, will open on February 24th, 2011 at the reed space gallery in New York City. This is an event not to be missed!

The New York Times did a nice write-up of the newest exhibit at the Sakıp Sabancı museum in Istanbul, “Treasures of the Aga Khan Museum: Arts of the Book & Calligraphy.”

The exhibition, designed by the Czech architect Boris Micka, traces the transition of Islamic writings from animal-skin parchment to paper, and from blocky, time-consuming print to a quicker cursive script and colorful illustrated texts. Examples appear on materials including wood, metal, ceramics and textiles from North Africa to Iran and the Far East.

The exhibit will be up at the Sakıp Sabancı through February 27, 2011, and you can find more details about the items on display on the museum’s website.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has recently announced the completion of their online database, which includes their entire Islamic Art Collection. A keyword search for calligraphy brings up 3 pages of interesting manuscripts that are definitely worth checking out.

For those of you outside the Middle East who struggle to find the right supplies and materials for Arabic calligraphy, I’m happy to share the link to a recently-launched website, http://www.arabiccalligraphysupplies.com.

From the site:

We import pens, inks, papers and other supplies required for Arabic and Islamic calligraphy directly from the Middle East. We are the first and only supplier of calligraphy tools specific to Islamic calligraphy in North America.

In addition to pens, inks, papers, and accessories, we also offer complete calligraphy sets, which provide everything you need to get started with Arabic calligraphy.

Happy shopping!

The website Web Design Schools Guide recently wrote a post entitled 40 Fantastic Calligraphy Blogs, in which they mention CalligraphyQalam.com as one of the top US-based calligraphy blogs. You may be interested in checking out the rest of the calligraphy websites on their list, at the web address below:

http://www.webdesignschoolsguide.com/library/40-fantastic-calligraphy-blogs.html

Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters

In May, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore launched a new online exhibit entitled, “Poetry and Prayer: Islamic Manuscripts from the Walters.” The Walters is in the process of digitizing all their Islamic manuscripts, and this website demonstrates the amazing progress they’re making. Check out the calligraphy section—the images are beautiful, and illustrate the wide range of manuscripts that are part of the Walters’ collection.

Check it out at http://poetryprayer.thewalters.org/splash.html

Poetry and Prayer

This just in from Dubai:

The Dubai Arabic Calligraphy Centre invites you to the opening ceremony of The Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, “Al Mashq.” See the invitation below.

Mohamed Zakariya will be featured today on BBC’s “The World” radio program, which can be heard in the Washington area at 8 pm on WAMU, 88.5 FM. You can also hear the program here:
http://www.theworld.org/2010/07/14/master-of-islamic-calligraphy-shares-his-craft/
Enjoy!

I apologize for my long absence from this blog. Time to get back to it!

While I was in Istanbul this past March, I had the great fortune to be able to visit the Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi (Museum) in Emirgan, on the European side of the Bosphorus. If you’re ever in Istanbul and interested in the history of calligraphy, this is the place to go.

Though there aren’t an extraordinary number of pieces at the Sakıp Sabancı museum, each one is particularly well chosen, giving the visitor a cohesive overview of calligraphy during the Ottoman empire. The Collection is displayed in the upper storey of the Atlı Köşk mansion, and is part of the permanent collection. Visit the museum’s website for more details about the collection and how to get there. You can also view pieces from their collection on this website’s gallery page; search for “Sakıp Sabancı” to find items from the collection.

You can also view pieces from their collection on this website’s gallery page; search for “Sakıp Sabancı” to find items from the collection.