Art and Architecture in the Islamic Tradition: Aesthetics, Politics and Desire in Early Islam (Library of Modern Middle East Studies) - Hardcover

Alami, Mohammed Hamdouni

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848855443 ISBN 13: 9781848855441

Publisher: Tauris Academic Studies, 2010

Synopsis

What is 'art' in the sense of the Islamic tradition? Mohammed Hamdouni Alami argues that Islamic art has historically been excluded from Western notions of art; that the Western aesthetic tradition's preoccupation with the human body has meant that Islamic and Western art being perceived as inherently at odds. However, the move away from this 'anthropomorphic aesthetic' in Western art movements, such as modern abstract and constructivist painting, have presented the opportunity for new ways of viewing and evaluating Islamic art and architecture. Drawing upon classical Arabic literature, philosophy, poetry, medicine and theology, along with contemporary Western art theory, the author uncovers a specific Islamic theoretical vision of art and architecture based on poetic practice, politics, desire and the 'gaze'. In so doing, he addresses the lack of recognition given to early Islamic thought and aesthetics in comparison with other historical periods and traditions.

About this title

About the Author

Mohammed Hamdouni Alami is an Associate Researcher in the Archaeological Research Facility at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tauris Academic Studies
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1848855443
• ISBN 13: 9781848855441
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 304