Political Crossfire Forums

curious_pixie · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 82

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Chris29 · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 2534 Location: Calgary, Canada

one thing I found intersting regarding Islamic art is that you will never find a picture of allah, you will find references to him in calligraphy but you will never find a picture of him

Chris29 · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 2534 Location: Calgary, Canada

one thing I found intersting regarding Islamic art is that you will never find a picture of allah, you will find references to him in calligraphy but you will never find a picture of him

Locke25 · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 3636 Location: Georgia

Chris29 wrote: one thing I found intersting regarding Islamic art is that you will never find a picture of allah, you will find references to him in calligraphy but you will never find a picture of him

what would a god look like? :?

curious_pixie · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 82

Islam is more strict with giving leeway to idolatry. Not only is God never depicted, the same applies to the Prophet(s). I presume the intention is to keep the divine message clear and above human (artistic) interpretation.

I started this thread because the original one was turning into low value propaganda and I felt like sharing artwork as I believe it enriches us.

Chris29 · Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 2534 Location: Calgary, Canada

I agree, I was very disappointed in the last thread and Islamic art is something we do not see enough of these days.

logic-rules · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 1840 Location: MINNEAPOLIS

Quote: The Tomb of Ali in the center of Mazar-i-Sharif around which all life in the city revolves. The pavement glistens after a spring shower as clouds swirl through the sky.

i always thought this was interesting:

Quote: The fabled white pigeons of Mazari-Sharif. It is said that if a gray pigeon should join the resident droves, it too will turn white in a short period of time.

http://www.tcoletribalrugs.com/article1.html

curious_pixie · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 82

Adding a few links, part of an essay, and pictures:
Quote: Islamic art is perhaps the most accessible manifestation of a complex civilization that often seems enigmatic to outsiders. Through its brilliant use of color and its superb balance between design and form, Islamic art creates an immediate visual impact. Its strong aesthetic appeal transcends distances in time and space, as well as differences in language, culture, and creed. Islamic art not only invites a closer look but also beckons the viewer to learn more. http://www.lacma.org/islamic_art/intro.htm
(navigating the site is a bit counter-intuitive but well worth it as it presents thousnads of images of art from all around the world)

14th century mold, Afghanistan.

17th century water pipe, Iran.

13th century bowl, Syria.

18th-19th century ewer, Iran.

10th-11th century container in the form of an animal, probably Iran.

Duchifas · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 9950

Very cute.

checkerboardstrangler · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1470 Location: Dallas, Texas

Chris29 wrote: one thing I found intersting regarding Islamic art is that you will never find a picture of allah, you will find references to him in calligraphy but you will never find a picture of him

--Isnt that because Muslims have a thing against "graven images"?
Quite a few religions have a prohibition against painting or carving images of God, and some even state that it is foolhardy or "vulgar" to even utter his NAME aloud.

If one were to ask me my personal position, I would say that I am not offended by MOST paintings of God or Christ, but I would never put them in a church.
I would simply view them as art, but that's my own personal belief.
Of course there is good art and badly done art. Now that I think about it I HAVE seen a few paintings of Christ that did offend me.
They were "cute" paintings depicting Christ hitting baseballs, running track, playing basketball, etc and they were hung in the schoolroom of a Southern Baptist church.
I've seen "Christian Debt Relief" companies and "Christian" plumbers.
The visual of Jesus chasing turds down the toilet with a Holy Plunger makes me violently ill.

The pictures posted at the beginning of the thread are quite spectacular, as is much of the historical art all through the Middle East, both in Israel and in the rest of the Arab countries.

JeffH in Dallas

checkerboardstrangler · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1470 Location: Dallas, Texas

curious_pixie wrote:

----uhhh, wow....that's a bong isnt it? :lol:

JeffH in Dallas

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

checkerboardstrangler wrote: Chris29 wrote: one thing I found intersting regarding Islamic art is that you will never find a picture of allah, you will find references to him in calligraphy but you will never find a picture of him

--Isnt that because Muslims have a thing against "graven images"?
Quite a few religions have a prohibition against painting or carving images of God, and some even state that it is foolhardy or "vulgar" to even utter his NAME aloud.

If one were to ask me my personal position, I would say that I am not offended by MOST paintings of God or Christ, but I would never put them in a church.
I would simply view them as art, but that's my own personal belief.
Of course there is good art and badly done art. Now that I think about it I HAVE seen a few paintings of Christ that did offend me.
They were "cute" paintings depicting Christ hitting baseballs, running track, playing basketball, etc and they were hung in the schoolroom of a Southern Baptist church.
I've seen "Christian Debt Relief" companies and "Christian" plumbers.
The visual of Jesus chasing turds down the toilet with a Holy Plunger makes me violently ill.

The pictures posted at the beginning of the thread are quite spectacular, as is much of the historical art all through the Middle East, both in Israel and in the rest of the Arab countries.

JeffH in Dallas

Hey Checker! Where have you been?

Good to see ya. :-D

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

checkerboardstrangler wrote: curious_pixie wrote:

----uhhh, wow....that's a bong isnt it? :lol:

JeffH in Dallas

Yes, I believe it is. :lol: Nice one too.

thefranzkafkafront · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:32 pm Post subject:

I was under the impression that images in general were heavily frowed apon in islamic art, which has of course resulted in a intrested art form.

checkerboardstrangler · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1470 Location: Dallas, Texas

thefranzkafkafront wrote: I was under the impression that images in general were heavily frowed apon in islamic art, which has of course resulted in a intrested art form.

Okay okay, slippery slope time here at Political Crossfire Forums!

Yes...I have always heard that one too....and yet here we are looking at some of the finest art on the planet (finest bongs too I see)

But anyway!.....

I also keep hearing the old saw about Jewish women having to shave their heads, but I see Jewess after Jewess with some of the most incredibly beautiful hair.

I think this is one of those "sect" things....different Islamic denominations which have different prohibitions against images.

Many Islamic websites feature plenty of images of people as well as places and "things" and then there are the ones which feature ZERO images...none, nada, zip, zilch....only text.

Since I am not an expert on Islam I can only say that it appears there are as many different sects of Islam as pebbles in the sea, just like many other faiths, and without a doubt I would venture that local or "tribal" customs also carry a definite influence on the local religious practices as well.

Same goes for Christianity....we have a sect of Christianity known as the Amish, and there are Amish "ordnungs" which prohibit the wearing of ANY COLORED garments whatsoever and then there are other ordnungs which only stress that colors must not be BRIGHT or gawdy, but rather muted and pastel in appearance.

Some Amish refuse to drive cars or use electrical appliances while others skirt around the issue by using battery operated devices or generators and driving very plain cars with no adornments on them and only for work or chores related to the keeping of the home.

These are tribal customs which have been "adopted" as a part of their religious beliefs, even though there is no place in the Bible which states that wearing of colored garments is a sin, and there are even many passages which refer to finery and beautiful raiment in celebration of God's majesty and beauty.

Some Christian sects prohibit ALL music while some Christian sects have provided such a powerful influence that their music has even altered the course of popular SECULAR music...I refer SPECIFICALLY to the influence of Gospel music on ROCK AND ROLL and SOUL music. Many rock and soul singers have ascended to world renown after growing up singing Gospel music in their churches as children and young adults.

But I am straying from the subject matter at hand...I am merely making a connection between several abstracts in order to make the point that we as humans view our God through so many "filters" and it is not a failing so much as it is our attempt with our tiny mortal brains to decipher a spiritual message which is so enormous that it defies all comprehension.

I try not to decipher at all...I merely meditate, or PONDER the wonderment of it all and any interpretation that might result is usually that of an artistic nature instead of a philosophical one.
I dont think that human words do very well when trying to decipher the meaning of God's Holy words...I've never been able to do it anyway....

Art seems to do a much better job, art of all kinds that is.
I see much more revelation in the "art" of Islamic minds and hands than I do in hearing the words of their mullahs.

JeffH CHS

checkerboardstrangler · Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Posts: 1470 Location: Dallas, Texas

cap'n queasy wrote: Hey Checker! Where have you been?

Good to see ya. :-D

---It's great to see you too Capn.
Been swamped taking care of the new DVD

Rare Leon Russell concert re-released on DVD

JeffH CHS

cap'n queasy · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 34968

Quote: Same goes for Christianity....we have a sect of Christianity known as the Amish, and there are Amish "ordnungs" which prohibit the wearing of ANY COLORED garments whatsoever and then there are other ordnungs which only stress that colors must not be BRIGHT or gawdy, but rather muted and pastel in appearance.

Heck, they think pockets are too fancy. :lol:

BTW Leon Russel rocks!

Demonic Spoon · Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 6939 Location: Ohio

Islam does not allow paintings or art of Muhammed or any of the prophets because it could lead to people worshipping him rather than God.

God has no physical form in Islam, so how could he be painted?

Saracen · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 16371 Location: On Earth

Islamic art is one of the most beautiful types of art I have ever seen, and I am not saying this because I am Muslim. I have seen Chrisitan art, and I must admit, it's very picturesque. However, the philosophy of Christian art involves a lot of depiction, which, as you know, is not something Islamic artists do.

Saracen · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 16371 Location: On Earth

Here's a piece I saw on the net a while back: