ID :
669061
Mon, 10/09/2023 - 14:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/669061
The shortlink copeid
With Qatari Participation... Artistic Creations Inspired by "Perfumes of the East" Exhibition at Arab World Institute in Paris
Paris, October 09 (QNA) - The Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe) in Paris is currently hosting "Perfumes of the East" exhibition, which will run until March 17, 2024.
In an intriguing artistic journey through the senses in the cities of the ancient East, visitors immerse into the heart of one of the world's most stunning perfume civilisations, from the Earliest Antiquity to the present time.
From the trade routes of Arabia where incense, amber, oud, and spices were transported to the rituals that have travelled the course of centuries, this unique event will invite visitors to experience a genuine journey of the senses through the East.
Within a space exceeding 1000m2, approximately 200 pieces of heritage and contemporary works, including pieces by the Qatari artist and designer Aisha Al Sowaidi, who participated with three artistic works. The accompanying art exhibition to "Perfumes of the East" includes manuscripts, miniatures, textiles, paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations, and videos. It also features raw materials used in perfume making, shedding light on the significance of various scents in cultural customs and social traditions in the Arab-Islamic world. Furthermore, it delves into the history of perfume production and trade in the East, spanning from the Arabian Peninsula to India, and from the Indonesian islands to the far reaches of Asia. During their journey through the exhibition, visitors discover the origins of rare and precious fragrances that have gained fame among Arab traders.
In addition to this exhibition, there is a diverse cultural program that includes music concerts, intellectual seminars, workshops, film screenings, and literary gatherings, spanning six months until March 2024.
President of the Arab World Institute in Paris Jack Lang told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the significance of this exhibition lies in showcasing the value of perfumes in Arab-Islamic civilization, to the extent that they have become an integral part of daily cultural and social customs, noting that perfumes also contribute to the openness of this ancient civilization to other nations and cultures through their scents and components.
He emphasized that the ancient trade routes that crossed the Arabian Peninsula and connected the south to the north played a crucial role in the development of the perfume industry and its spread from the Middle East to the West. He said that while luxury perfumes are found today in Paris, London, and other European capitals, no one denies that their origins were in the Arab world and the Arabian Peninsula, where Arabs and Muslims have excelled since ancient times in producing unique perfumes that are distinctive in their ingredients and recipes.
Curator of the "Perfumes of the East" exhibition Agnes Carayon said in a similar statement to QNA that the exhibition brings together a direct and indirect dialogue between various visual arts, including contemporary, modern, and ancient art, as well as sculpture, plastic arts, and photography, in addition to the rich Arab-Islamic cultural heritage.
She further explained that she chose to blend visual arts that are visible to the eye with scents and perfumes that emanate within the exhibition space through artistic techniques specially created for this purpose, pointing out that visitors experience the smooth integration of the exhibited artifacts, photographs, artworks, and sculptures, which align with the core idea of the exhibition.
Carayon praised Qatar's outstanding participation in this exhibition through the works of the Qatari artist and designer Aisha Al Sowaidi, who participated with three art pieces titled "midkhans", noting that these three original art pieces have a unique and beautiful design and are incense burners used in perfuming homes and family spaces, which are part of the daily uses of perfumes and scents, such as welcoming guests and visitors.
She also said that from a scientific perspective, Arab scientists have played a significant role in advancing the techniques of perfume production by developing distillation techniques that were not prevalent at that time in history, and that development of distillation techniques allowed for obtaining distilled water and concentrated floral oils, which are considered today the primary and essential components of perfumes.
On her part, the contemporary artist and Saudi fashion designer Reem Al Nasser stated to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that she is participating in this exhibition with an artistic work, which consists of a collection of traditional-style clothing made from jasmine flowers known in Al Arish region and Jizan province in southern Saudi Arabia. These garments are worn during special occasions and celebrations.
The perfumer at "Perfumes of the East" exhibition Christopher Sheldrake said that the exhibition is magnificent due to the value and diversity of the artistic works displayed in it. These works give visitors the impression that they are wandering through more than one place and time simultaneously.
Sheldrake, who has 50 years of experience in designing, distilling and crafting fragrances, said in his interview with QNA that he has great respect for Arabs and Muslims when it comes to perfumes. Therefore, his task was very challenging to select only four scents from all the Arabian Eastern fragrances that represent and encapsulate Arabian perfumes and convey the impression to both Eastern and Western visitors about the value and essential characteristics of these fragrances, he added.
That's why amber and 'Shamaman,' which have Indian origins but is blended with Arabian scents like oud, rose and saffron, were chosen, he said, noting that the third fragrance is 'Kefi,' an ancient Egyptian scent with a history dating back to over 3000 years. Additionally, there's a fragrance specifically designed for women, combining rose and musk, with a focus on natural perfume ingredients such as oud, amber, musk, rose, neroli and night-blooming jasmine, creating an intriguing and unique blend, he added.
He pointed out that the Middle East and the Arab world have been responsible for providing the essential components of perfumes worldwide. This is credited to the ancient trade routes that existed in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula, through which perfume ingredients reached Europe and the rest of the world. These ingredients passed through places like Taif, Damascus, Turkiye, Egypt, and India. Therefore, the Arab and Islamic world has made a significant contribution to the Western perfume industry, and this influence continues to the present day. For example, over the past two decades, oud has become a key component in Western perfumes, even though it was not present in them before. The same applies to saffron, he said.
The Arab World Institute (Institut du Monde Arabe) in Paris, established in 1980, is a French institution dedicated to cultural affairs. As part of its ongoing activities throughout the year, it welcomes authors, thinkers, and artists from all around the Arab and European worlds to present their ideas and creations.
The Institute, designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, is indeed a unique architectural masterpiece located on the banks of the River Seine. It is not only the most prominent institution for Arab-Islamic culture in France but also in Europe.
This cultural landmark aims to advance the study of the Arab world in France, deepen understanding of its civilization and culture, promote cultural exchange and stimulate communication and collaboration between France and the Arab world. The president of the institute is appointed based on the French president's recommendation and in consultation with representatives of Arab countries in France. (QNA)
