Fifteen scholars representing one dozen countries with a focused array of research interests have been awarded fellowships to attend the Second Biennial Hamad Bin Khalifa Symposium on Islamic Art scheduled for November 4- 6 which is being held at VCUQatar.
The Hamad Bin Khalifa Endowed Chair in Islamic Art was established by the Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in 2005. Dr. Sheila Blair and Dr. Jonathan Bloom who share the Hamad bin Khalifa Endowed Chair in Islamic Art have organized this international biennial symposium on Islamic art to alternate between Richmond and Doha. The first symposium took place in Richmond Virginia in 2005 and the second one is now being held in VCUQatar, Education City.
"In selecting the speakers, we looked for a range of scholars to address this global issue. Some are senior scholars, others are relatively young, but all are experts in their respective fields. Some are historians or art-historians who teach in universities, others are curators who work in museums, while still others are practicing architects, conservators and archaeologists." explained Dr. Blair.
Islamic art has long fascinated the Western audience and remains a popular subject today, as scholars continue to question whether it is meant only to provide visual delight or has deeper meaning.
"We are extremely proud to be hosting a symposium of this caliber here at VCUQatar" noted VCUQ Dean Allyson Vanstone.
This Symposium is an important contribution to Qatar's cultural efforts and therefore, VCUQatar hopes that it stimulates a wider awareness of the artistic marvels of Islamic civilization. The lectures address varied aspects of water in Islamic civilization, from water supply and distribution to its role in religion and popular culture, from the earliest times to the present, from the Iberian peninsula to southeast Asia.
"This symposium will not only bring together noted scholars in the field to deliver their papers here in Doha, but will provide all of us in the education community the opportunity to participate in these important discussions about the role of the arts in Islamic cultures." said Dr. Charles F. Bleick, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
The keynote speaker of this year's symposium is Carole Hillenbrand, Professor of Islamic History and Head of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Hillenbrand, a recent recipient of the King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies, is speaking on the roles of water in the Quran, Islamic history and literature.
"This symposium is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the scholars and the general public to explore various aspects of the art and architecture of the Islamic lands. All too often, academics speak only to other academics in a language that ordinary people cannot readily understand. This symposium is a major exception, since it brings together a stellar roster of scholars from around the world who are not only great experts in their respective disciplines but also engaging speakers who can communicate what they know to a broad audience. We have spent nearly two years preparing for this event. We chose water as the topic of our symposium not only because it transcends the specifics of medium, place and time but also because of its continuing relevance to the world today." added Dr. Bloom.
It is particularly fitting that this symposium is being held in Qatar. This is the first public event of its kind held in the Gulf to draw on such a wide range of perspectives, and along with the new Museum of Islamic Art establishes Qatar as a leading world center in the study of Islamic art.
