Art: Linking The Past To The Future

The first Al Burda Festival examined the deep roots of the traditional Islamic arts that provide the foundation for 21stcentury expressions of cultural identity.

- Dorothy Waldman

Like the shifting sands in the desert, the manifestation of artistic expression is evolving in the Islamic world. Although traditional artforms used in architecture, geometry, music and poetry reflect the aesthetics of this expansive region, artisans are now expressing their cultural identity by using these motifs in a variety of fresh, new formats. By examining the past and current directions in creative endeavours, the Al Burda Festival in Abu Dhabi sought to address the ‘Shape and Future of Islamic Art and Culture’, focusing on a two-pronged agenda: the creation and the dissemination of art derived from the Islamic ethos.

While the term Islamic Art is sometimes used interchangeably with Arabic Art, there is a fine line of difference between the two, according to H.E. Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Knowledge Development, Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, UAE. However, both terms refer to an expression of all aspects of life derived from a specific cultural heritage, articulating the human condition while evoking emotion. Included are traditional forms and geometries used in architecture, decoration, music and literature, though now these may be created with the aid of robotics and 3D printing, and expressed through videos or interactive technologies.