The Etnographic Museum moves away from the stereotype and controversy associated with the culture of Islam and presents it from the angle of art, and more precisely, an ornament. The authors of the exhibition see the ornament as a key to understand the culture which had a great influence on Christian art. Looking at every-day objects from the Islam countries which bear beautiful geometrical and floral patterns, we do not realize that they perform other, not only aesthetic, functions. In the world of Islam, every element of the ornament conveys certain meaning or a message which the artist contained in the object. Perception and understanding of those meanings depend on our efforts.
The complex symbolism of Islam constitutes a complicated code which reflects the divine harmony of the world. In this graphic language every number and figure has its symbolism which is difficult to perceive right away. Therefore, the organizers of the exhibition wrote a manual enclosed to every ticket which helps to decipher the meaning of certain symbols.
The exhibition also tries to fight certain popular western stereotypes connected with the art of Islam. Looking at the objects gathered in a beautifully organized hall of the Etnographic Museum at Wolnica Square, one can, for example, find out that the strict rules of Islam art did not always deprive the artist of the possibility to present images of people and animals. Some patterns bear very clear anthropomorphic and zoomorphic shapes.
The exhibition Islam. Orientation. Ornament. will last until 26th September, 2010 in the building of the Etnographic Museum at 1 Wolnica Square.