The Art of Enlightenment: Islamic Contributions to Global Culture
Join us for a panel discussion on the rich heritage and contemporary resonance of Islamic art and architecture.
The panel includes Dr Silke Ackermann, Director of the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford, and Dr Abdulrahman Azzam and Muhannad Shono, two of the curators of the forthcoming Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which is the first exhibition of its kind and offers a forum for the display and discussion of Islamic arts and cultures from around the world.
Ackermann and Azzam bring their expertise and perspectives on the multifaceted ways in which Islamic philosophies and civilizations have had a profound impact on art and science globally.
As a prominent Saudi artist working in Riyadh today, Shono addresses the lasting significance of Islamic cultural heritage for contemporary art.
Together, the panellists offer insight into the beauty and breadth of the arts of Islamic cultures, and the profound influence they have had on our shared present.
About the Academic
Silke Ackerman
Dr Silke Ackermann studied History, Languages & Cultures of the Orient, and History of Science at Frankfurt University. She worked for 16 years in curatorial and managerial roles at the British Museum in London. In 2014, she returned to the UK to join the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford. Dr Ackermann’s main research interests include the transfer of knowledge between the Islamic World and Europe, Medieval and early modern scientific instruments in cultural and social context, and the history of astrology and calendars in Europe and the Islamic World.
As Director of the History of Science Museum, Dr Ackermann is working with her team to further develop the museum as an international centre for research, teaching and public engagement. An important part of this work has been the development of the award-winning Multaka-Oxford Project. ‘Multaka’ translates from Arabic to English as ‘meeting point’. Multaka-Oxford uses museums and collections as a meeting point for people to share experience, knowledge and skills. The project works in a three-way partnership of staff, volunteers and local community to create a platform for cultural dialogue.
About the Speakers
Abdul Rahman Azzam
Dr Abdul Rahman Azzam is a graduate of Oxford University where he completed his BA and PhD in history. He is the author of Rumi and The Kingdom of Joy (Muhammadi Trust, 2000) and in 2007 Longman published his biography of Saladin to critical acclaim.
Muhannad Shono
Multidisciplinary artist Muhannad Shono’s installations sprawl into neglected spaces: culturally, geographically and psychically, in order to challenge dominant cultural tendencies. Shono’s encounters with unusual perspectives — of landscapes or histories — inspire contemplative works that unearth alternative narrative paths. In many of Shono’s works, PVC pipes and silicon cables enact human behaviors and movements; combined and dispersed in large quantities, these connective components of global digitalization variously evoke mass exoduses or unusual tête-à-têtes between representatives of stratified social positions. Shono forges an allyship between artists and migrants as counterparts to authority: both observe culture from an outside perspective, enabling them to challenge those in power, alter world views, and spur change.
Join Our Mailing List
By submitting this form you agree to our Privacy Policy and to receive marketing emails, including e-newsletters and event updates from Bradford Literature Festival.