Islamic Art Studio Weekend Launch
Weekend Overview
We were thrilled to launch the Seldon Islamic Art Studio with renowned calligraphy masters, Nuria Garcia Masip and Bahman Panahi. Their expertise, insight, and passion left an indelible mark on the formation of the art studio.
The weekend kicked off with an exclusive evening featuring an exhibit by Nuria and Bahman that showcased both traditional and contemporary calligraphy. Bahman’s live Musicalligraphy performance portrayed his vision of the integral relationship between visual art and music, creating a truly transportive experience.
Throughout the weekend, we engaged in thought-provoking discussions and immersive masterclasses that explored the various dimensions of calligraphy.
From the traditional arts to contemporary expressions, the Studio explores Islamic concepts and Muslim perspectives through exhibits, forums, courses, workshops, and immersive retreats. Our aim is to enrich the vibrant art community by cultivating a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Islamic art, history, and philosophy.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us—artists, art enthusiasts, and supporters. Our deepest gratitude to Aisha Imam from Reed Society for the Sacred Arts for her incredible efforts in facilitating the artists’ visit to Chicago, and to our dedicated team of volunteers who ensured every detail was attended to with care and passion!
Seldon Forum | Episode 2
Stay tuned for our upcoming episode of Seldon Forum on the Art of Calligraphy with (left to right) master calligraphers Nuria Garcia Masip and Bahman Panahi; Aisha Imam, Founding Director, Reed Society for the Sacred Arts; and Dina Rehab, Founding Director, Seldon Institute.
Gallery
The Artists
Nuria Garcia Masip
Born in Ibiza, Spain, Nuria is a traditional calligraphy artist specializing in the Thuluth and Naskh scripts. Her work is firmly rooted in the Classical School of Calligraphy and preserves the techniques and materials of the tradition.
Nuria studied traditional Islamic calligraphy with Masters Mohamed Zakariya, Hasan Çelebi, and Davut Bektaş. She received her diploma (ijazah) in 2007. She holds a Masters in Art History from the Sorbonne University. She has won prestigious prizes in international calligraphy competitions and her work forms part of various private and museum collections.
Bahman Panahi
Franco-Iranian artist Bahman Panahi is a contemporary artist, master calligrapher, and musician. His work highlights calligraphy as a living art, where gesture is combined with rhythm in the search for balance and harmony.
Dr. Bahman studied traditional calligraphy with Iranian masters Gholam Hossein Amirkhani, Yadollah Kaboli, Abdollah Foradi, and music with masters Mohamed Réza Lotfi and Houshang Zarif. He completed his Ph.D. in music and musicology at Sorbonne University. His exclusive concept of Musicalligraphy expresses the relationship between music and calligraphy expressed in his work.
“It is a dialogue between black and white, sound and silence.” Bahman Panahi
On Musicalligraphy
An Exclusive Evening Reception with the Artists
Friday, September 27th, 6:00PM - 8:30 PM
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Exhibit & Reception with the Artists
Hors d’oeuvres will be served.
7:00PM - 8:30PM | Live Musicalligraphy performance
An immersive experience in the visual and auditory elements of contemporary calligraphy.
5659 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL. 60637
(Private Residence)
Tickets $120 | Students $60
Limited Space. RSVP Required.
All proceeds support the Islamic Art Studio
Evening Highlights
Meet the artists and like-minded art enthusiasts
Immerse yourself in the introspective experience of Musicalligraphy — a live performance
VIP access to a one-day only exhibit featuring the work of the artists
Private tour of our historical Hyde Park venue as we share our vision for the Institute and Islamic Arts Studio
Be a patron of the Islamic arts — all evening proceeds will support upcoming exhibits and opportunities for artists & art researchers to advance their work on fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for Islamic art, architecture, and aesthetics; Islamic history and thought; and contemporary Muslim narratives.