Afghanistan’s Hidden Treasures May 30, 2008
Posted by ismailimail in Art.add a comment
An excellent slide show of arts and monuments from Afghanistan
Art objects inspire many reactions, including both preservation and destruction. From 1979 to late 2001, destruction had the upper hand in Afghanistan. The Soviet-Afghan war, the ensuing civil war and finally the pernicious rule of the Taliban inflicted incalculable losses on active archeological sites and ancient monuments and artworks.
By the time the Taliban were driven from power in November 2001, The National Museum of Afghanistan had lost two-thirds of its collection of 100,000 artworks and artifacts.
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/05/23/arts/0523-AFGHAN_index.html
Style in Islamic Art May 9, 2008
Posted by ismailimail in Art, islam.1 comment so far
Many different styles developed during the long history of Islamic art.
Select a period below to explore some of them.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1342_islamic_middle_east/
Historic Cities Support Programme May 7, 2008
Posted by ismailimail in Art, Imam's Speech, culture.add a comment
“…..the Historic Cities Support Programme, a component of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, is not only concerned with saving buildings or historic districts for future generations. It seeks to go beyond restoration to creating mechanisms that contribute to real, measurable improvement in the quality of life in rural and urban areas, also enabling their inhabitants thereby to look after their cultural assets.”
His Highness the Aga Khan - Royal Toledo Foundation Award Ceremony, Toledo, Spain March 2, 2006
