University College of Art and Design, University of the Punjab, Lahore, in Collaboration with Calligraphers association of Pakistan is holding an International Conference on Calligraphy under the title "Sarir-e-Khama: Art of the Pen". Through this Conference, it is intended to address the various facets of the Art of Calligraphy both in time and space. It is expected that the Conference will be attended by experts and well recognized persons in the field of Calligraphy from around the World specifically from the region comprising of the Turkey, Iran, Syria, Iraq, England etc. The Conference will also be well represented by experts in the field of Calligraphy from within Pakistan itself.

 

The main focus of the Conference will be the development and evolution of Calligraphy and its impact on art and architecture of Islam. Issues related to art of the contemporary world, will be discussed in order to ascertain and identify the potential direction that the Art of Calligraphy may take in future and its impact on the overall art and architecture of the Muslim World.

 

The Conference will be accompanied by an exhibition and a workshop. The Conference will be conducted in the form of academic reading of Research Papers by experts followed by a five day workshop, conducted by well known experts in the field of Calligraphy, which will be attended by potential participants whereby the participants will learn the Art of Calligraphy in different styles. To add to the overall creative/ pedagogical ambience of the event, certain renowned book dealers will have their book stalls set up on campus for the purpose of display and selling of the books.

 

- Introducing Islamic calligraphy and its importance in Muslim's culture

- Describing artistic and aesthetic values of Islamic calligraphy

- Teaching the basics of Major Calligraphy style

- Celebrating cultural diversity and promoting ethnic awareness

- Reviving and promotion the art of calligraphy traditional and classical principles

 

This gallery will offer historical development in Qur'anic manuscripts through ages. It will also focus the impact of Naskh in the subcontinent and emergence of Naskh-e-Hindi.

 

This gallery is dedicated to the art pieces of the Mughal and post Mughal periods in the sub-continent. A corner will be reserved for the innovations introduced by the renowned calligraphist Abdul Majid Pervin Raqm.

 

Letters and words are designed according to geometrical as well as golden ratio. This proportional system adds beauty to calligraphy and its standard. This gallery will represent the beautiful shapes and their scales.

 

Specimens of art pieces of world renowned masters of calligraphy in form of digital prints will be displayed. This will cater both the connoisseurs and artists alike.

 

The work of prominent contemporary calligraphists will be displayed in this gallery. It will represent trends and tendencies in calligraphy which help us determining calligraphy's status in the age of globalization.

 

The art of calligraphy is not confined to only pen and paper. Its very imprints are found in architecture, handicrafts, coins, ornaments, metal plaques, glass, wood and ceramics.

This gallery is dedicated to above-mentioned articles.

 

The signatures of the artists show their excellence in the field of calligraphy. This exhibition will also establish a mural containing the signatures of the renowned calligraphists of the world.

 

13 to 19 December 2012

 

Calligraphy is the highest form of visual art in Islam. For Muslims, it is an expression of their faith; to non-Muslim it evokes a rich tradition of decoration arts. This program is designed to bring these understandings together. “Nastaliq” , our National script will be our focal point to be taught and learnt here. This is a beautiful script invented by Persian Muslim artist Mir Ali Tabrezi by combining the Arabic Script “Naskh” and “Taliq”. Mughals brought it to the Indo-Pak sub-continent. It remained in official use through Muslim rule in India. Then it was localized by Great Master Abdul Majeed Parveen Raqm in a way that it became easier to write and prettier to look at. Thereafter, Nastaliq became the representing icon of the Urdu language.

 

To teach Calligraphy to our people in a way that they become aware of its aesthetic value and be able to write it beautifully bringing their eye, hand and heart in harmony. The more and more exercise of it will bring beauty and balance in their writing. The students of this workshop will take these skill to different parts of Pakistan.

 

Calligraphy is the the art that can be learnt with these inputs; hard work, time discipline, and Continuous learning, sincerity of purpose and softness of sentiments. When a person passes through this refining process for weeks and months, he or she becomes a disciplined person, sincere at heart and moderate in thought.

 

The Participants of this program will be provided tool kit with lesson notes by the University.

 

All participants will get their certificates after successful completion of the workshop.

 

Architects, Designers, Students and especially the Students of fine arts, Doctors, Engineers, Advocates and Journalist can get benefits from the workshop and so everyone with a good sense of aesthetic.