Video Reviews: Islamic Art at the V & A and African Art: It's Cultural Meaning

Islamic Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum

 

I chose to watch the Islamic art which is on display at the V & A because I was curious to see how a museum in England would present the art of Islam. The video immediately acknowledges that 'Islamic Art' is broad cultural term for Middle Eastern Art from the 7th to the 19th/20th century.

My knowledge of the Prophet Mohammed was very limited. In the Living with Art text, author Mark Geitlein describes how in 622 God spoke to Mohammed through the angel Gabriel; the very same angel who announced to the Virgin Mary that she was expecting the son of God. After the revelations Muhammed began to spread the message. Islam is Arabic for "submission" (submission to God) and Muslims are "those who submit". Mohammed's revelations were recorded after his death and make up the Koran ("recitation").

There are similar techniques and themes throughout Islamic art, such as "...decorative geometric patterns and stylized plant forms - curving tendrils, stems, foliage and flowers". Generally, Islamic Art is secular because there is a warning in the Koran against "...the worship of idols". The V&A Museum has incredibly beautiful examples of Calligraphy. To create a copy of the Koran is considered to be an act of prayer, therefore calligraphy was a popular and well-regarded art form in the lands which had accepted Islam. It reminds me of the exquisite illuminated manuscripts of Medieval Art, although Christianity allows artists to represent people, including religious figures.

Although unable to show images of people in the Islamic houses of worship, called mosques, they were covered inside and out with incredible decoration and color. According to the video, Muslims believe they should "...decorate, ornament, (and) beautify..." everything. The video also features examples of silk woven fabrics, carpets, carved ivory and inlaid metalwork. Italy originally supplied the Middle Eastern peninsula with silk and velvet fabrics, by the 16th century, the Ottoman Turks made their own fabrics, imitating the Italian merchandise that they had imported.

African Art: It's Cultural Meaning

 

Like the art of Islam, I have very little knowledge of African art, the only exception being my knowledge and interest in ancient Egyptian civilizations. African art comes in many different forms, it is seen in the dress, hairstyles, personal ornamentation as well as in traditional African rituals. Artistic traditions also include in music and dance.

Unfortunately, many examples of African were created in wood or straw, which did not survive Africa's climate. Just a few examples of art were found made of gold or bronze; the ancient rock art of the Bushmen, which was in a dryer climate, has also survived. African art was virtually unknown until the 19th century, and it was considered to be primitive and childlike. In reality the African art is not "primitive", but rather, "conceptual", which means (according to the video's narration) it "...flows from the imagination, not objective reality".

Some African art is considered to be the carrier of magic and rituals, they believe that through their art, be it masks of sculptures, the living have access to the power of their Gods and ancestors. Today many of the old beliefs have been replaced by Islam and Christianity. However, African artists and craftsman continue to create traditional masks, statues, figurines and more, for Interior Designers and tourists. In this way, their artistic tradition is kept alive.

Since I had little to no prior knowledge of Islamic or African art, I found that these two videos, as well as the text I read, gave me a basic foundation. I am particularly interested in the Islamic calligraphy and would love to see some actual texts in person some day.