Seven Days of Seven Art Spots - Starting Tomorrow July 8 through and including July 14

ART SPOTS

The Islamic Art Spots are seven visual essays, presented in a series of short films designed to make art from Muslim societies an integral part of the Muslim Journeys experience. Together they provide access to the art of Muslim societies through their exploration of seven key topics:

Calligraphy. Regarded as the highest expression of Islamic art, calligraphy appears in manuscripts, on objects of both sacred and secular use, and in proclamations on the walls of buildings.

Mosques and Religious Architecture. Diverse in both architecture and function, mosques and other religious buildings are places both large and small, designed for both solitary prayer and public gatherings.

The Arts of Trade and Travel. The obligation to make the pilgrimage (known as the hajj) to Mecca, combined with the Islamic world’s tradition of global trade, makes international travel important in the lives of many Muslims.

Islamic Gardens. In the often-daunting natural environment of the Middle East and other regions of the Islamic world, gardens are sanctuaries of pleasure, reflections of the paradise promised to the faithful, and symbols of humankind’s place on earth.

Islamic Textiles. Whether used as floor coverings or luxurious ceremonial robes, textiles ensure that treasured art plays a part in Muslims’ daily lives.

Geometry. The lines and curves of geometry not only provide the basis of ornamental design in Islamic art; they also characterize the timeless, breathtaking architecture of the Muslim world.

The Arts of the Book and Miniature Painting. Made first on parchment and later on paper, illuminated manuscripts and miniature paintings have lively scenes that provide fascinating windows onto the Muslim world of the past.

The Art Spots were written and presented by D. Fairchild Ruggles, Professor of Art, Architecture, and Landscape History, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and produced by Twin Cities Public Television.