Contemporary Arabesque

Opening: Thursday, January 18 2018

Closing: Saturday, April 7 2018

The exhibition examines how local Palestinian and Israeli artists adopt various motifs associated with the Moslem decorative element known as arabesque, and incorporate them in their work while imbuing their creations with biographical, political and gender-related content.

The works in the exhibition reflect two differing approaches to arabesque by the artists. Most of the Israeli artists relate to the form of arabesque and its aesthetics. Some offer an alternative while others create intra- and inter-cultural parallels. Meanwhile, the Palestinian artists identify arabesque with conservative Islamic culture, view it as an indication of patriarchal authority that lies at its root, and harness it more freely to goals associated with social, gender and political protest, or to describing injustice.

Arabesque first appeared in Islamic art in the 10th century and became a central and popular decorative element, primarily in architecture, textiles, book illustrations (mostly in the Koran), metal vessels, pottery etc.

Today, there are three arabesque categories: vegetation, geometric and calligraphic, which are expressed in printed form or in a linear pattern which repeats itself and spreads out infinitely. The pattern, which covers large areas, is characterized by perfect harmony and balance, high density, repetition and strong colors. It has no beginning, middle and end. There are no right-left, up-down, center and margins, or any hierarchy.

The art of Moslem decoration, arabesque, is considered to have a central spiritual role in Islamic culture which is designed to serve religious ritual. According to Islam, arabesque expresses the wonderful complex structure of the world, and harmonious perfection.

Participating artists:

During the exhibition, a treasure hunt and art workshops for all the family will take place on Thursdays and Saturdays between February 2nd and March 17th, 2018. For details press here >>