Jul 27
In 2010 the Aga Khan’s museum in Toronto will be finished. Until then “Spirit & Life” will travel to Paris, Lisbon, Bonn and, in 2009, the United States.
The Aga Khan chose Toronto instead. London’s loss, however much deserved, is a tragically missed opportunity.
From Economist.com
Jul 26th 2007From The Economist print edition
Works of art from the Aga Khan’s collection on show in London
“THE supposed ‘clash of cultures’ is in reality nothing more than a manifestation of mutual ignorance,” writes the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world’s 15m Ismaili Muslims, in his introduction to “Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection”. Be reassured: the exhibition, at the Ismaili Centre in London until August 31st, is no judgment-paralysing blockbuster. It is small but with big ambitions, both to educate and to delight. With some 160 objects and works of art, from a still growing collection already six […]
Source: ismailimail
Jul 25
Excerpts from His Highness the Aga Khan’s speech given at the “Spirit and Life” Exhibition, London, UK.
This exhibition is designed to give us a glimpse into the future. What we see here today is the nucleus of the Islamic art collections of the future Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. This museum, which is being designed by the renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, is conceived as a primarily educational institution in the field of Islamic art and culture, a specific mandate that is not fulfilled so far by other North American museums. We hope and trust it will contribute to a deeper understanding among cultures - to the strengthening of true cultural pluralism - which is increasingly essential to peace, and to progress, in our world.
If I could express one hope for all of you, as you leave this place today, it is that you will appreciate even more deeply how much […]
Source: ismailimail
Jul 25
His [Aga Khan’s] message is probably one we can all learn from, whether we call ourselves Sunni or Shi’a. It is a shared belief that Muslims need to work hard to portray Islam in a positive way, be it with different types of communication, including visual discourse such as this exhibition.
By Zara Aliah Singh - The Muslim News UK
This month, the Ismaili Centre is hosting the Spirit and Life exhibition, consisting of over 160 pieces of Islamic Art spanning over 1000 years.
Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, hosted the opening of the exhibition on July 12. It is due to end on August 31, when the exhibition will be displayed around Europe and eventually end up in its permanent home in the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada.
With immense Sufi and Shi’a influence, as well as some examples from Sunni Islam, the exhibition in London is home […]
Source: ismailimail