WATER IN LIFE AND IN ART
Water is the essence of life. A new exhibition at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization aims to narrate and unfold the special relationship between water and Islam.
Catherine Mazy
“And we created every living thing from water,” the Quran says.
From this verse sprang the exhibition Drop by Drop Life Falls from the Sky. Water, Islam and Art, at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. The exhibition, a collaboration with the Fondazione Torino Musei, features 120 artefacts on view outside Italy for the first time, all related to water and daily life in the Islamic world. In addition to items on loan from public and private collections in Italy, the exhibition includes pieces from the permanent collection of Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and Sharjah Art Museum.
Water is essential for life, and nowhere is it more precious than in the desert. The effort that went into jugs, cups, fountains and other items, turning them into exquisite works of art as well as practical daily utensils, illustrates the value of water in Islamic culture. Indeed, Islam is the only religion that created rules to protect water.
“The inspiration for the exhibition mainly comes from the great value Islam has for water, being mentioned more than 60 times in the Quran,” says Manal Ataya, director general of Sharjah Museums Authority. “The value of water is represented in artistic and religious spheres through everyday objects and rituals.”
The exhibition has four themes: ‘The Blessings of Water and Islam’, ‘Water and Daily Life’, ‘Traditional Hammams’ and ‘Gardens’. Objects include a basin made from copper and decorated with gold and silver that was used by King Sultan al-Malik Al Nāsir Al Dīn Muhammad Ibn Qalāwūn in the first half of the 14th century. There’s a 16th century Ottoman ceramic plate with the image of a multicoloured jug, and a bronze jug decorated with gold animals. Objects from the 19th century include a jug and a huge basin made from Ottoman tombac (a copper-zinc alloy) inlaid by gold-plated copper and a kashkul, or begging bowl. One of the older items is a bronze ewer (water jug) from 10th century India, its globular shape resting on a circular, slightly splayed foot, the body chased with bands reminiscent of a turban’s folds.
Drop by Drop Life Falls from the Sky. Water, Islam and Art,
at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization until December 11.
Photo courtesy of Sharjah Museums Authority
