From July 14 to August 31, 2007 at The Ismaili Centre in London, England, the Islamic treasures that will be on display in the Aga Khan Museum that will be built in Toronto, Canada are showcased in an exhibit under the title of “Spirit & Life: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection.”

Continuing a successful collaboration initiated on the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat project due to open in Ottawa, Canada in 2008, Maki and Associates of Tokyo, Japan (Design Architect) and Moriyama and Teshima Architects (Architect of Record) are creating this world class museum. Also being built on the Wynford Drive site in Toronto is the Ismaili Centre, a collaboration between Charles Correa from India and Moriyama and Teshima Architects, with landscape design for the entire site by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture from Lebanon along with Moriyama and Teshima Planners.

The opening of the Spirit & Life exhibit coincides with the start of the Aga Khan’s Golden Jubilee celebrations which will occur over the next year. Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

“This exhibition of artistic masterpieces from the Islamic world underlines that the arts, particularly when they are spiritually inspired, can become a medium of discourse that transcends the barriers of our day-to-day experiences and preoccupations,” said His Highness the Aga Khan. “Many questions are currently being raised in the West about the Muslim world, with countless misconceptions and misunderstandings occurring between our contemporary societies. I hope that this exhibition will hold a special significance at a time which calls for enlightened encounters amongst faiths and cultures.”

Links:

+ 2007-07-11 A stunning debut for Toronto-bound Treasures of Islam - Globe and Mail
+ Aga Khan Development Network - Museums

http://www.mtarch.com/mtanews.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/saturdayreview.shtml

This link is to the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Saturday Review’.

This audio programme includes a seven-minute section towards the end (from 36:08 to 43:26) which is devoted to the Spirit and Life exhibition. The discussion is led by the presenter Tom Sutcliffe and his guests, Paul Farley, Deborah Moggach and Kamila Shamsie.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/saturdayreview.shtml

Spirit Life Exhibition: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection

This exhibition of rare Islamic art and manuscripts at The Ismaili Centre in South Kensington, London presents treasures from the collection of the Aga Khan which will eventually be displayed at the new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada in 2010. It includes over 165 objects from the collection showing the diversity of artistic traditions in the Muslim world. The exhibition covers a geographical area stretching from India in the east to Spain and Morocco in the West, and spans over a thousand years, from the ninth to the 19th century.

Spirit Life Exhibition: Masterpieces of Islamic Art from the Aga Khan Museum Collection is at The Ismaili Centre in South Kensington London until August 31.

Rhythms of the Middle East by Khaled Hakim (World)

The workshop aims to present the richness of Middle Eastern culture in an exciting and accessible way.  The interactive class will promote an understanding and respect of cultural diversity by introducing the children to Middle Eastern instruments and music.  The class will, through rhythm and music, encourage the children to work together as a team and provide an opportunity to perform their newly-acquired skills.  Throughout the workshop the children will be able to obtain information on Middle Eastern regions, peoples and traditions.

MAQAM - Contemporary & Classical Melodies (World/Classical)

An eclectic blend of western and eastern music showcasing the colourful history and vibrant present of this diverse musical dialogue. The ensemble will offer an insight into a variety of cultures and musical instruments. This performance will include musical pieces from individual performers culminating in a specially arranged piece, by Farnoosh Bezhad, to be played on a array of instruments including the sitar, violin, piano and tabla amongst other instruments.

 

 

http://www.exhibitionroadmusicday.org/venue.asp?venueID=8

Workshops At the Ismaili Centre

The PSTA is in discussions with the Ismaili Centre to conduct a series of workshops and demonstrations in conjunction with an exhibition that will be mounted there by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture from 14th July to 31st August 2007.

The Centre has requested the PSTA to plan on facilitating four workshop categories: a one day workshop for children from the ages of 6 to 17; a study day for young people aged 18+; a drop-in workshop for all age groups; and demonstrations in Calligraphy, Geometry and Manuscript Illumination.

Plans for each workshop are being finalised and will see the children working in different methods and materials and echoing the geometry, biomorphic design and ornamentation that is found in most of the Islamic world.

http://www.psta.org.uk/index.php/Community/WorkshopsAtTheIsmailiCentre