Abstract
As a versatile and distinctive approach to the concept of ‘knowledge’, ʿilm can influence the curation of art exhibitions. The act of curatorship is an act of explicit knowledge production, with intentions that are distinct from the haptic knowledge of the makers or the tacit knowledge of the visitors and/or the previous owners of the objects displayed. The curation of exhibitions acknowledges that those forms of knowledge can be balanced, which is a core component of museum and gallery education. The concept of ʿilm provides a means to conceptualise this need to frame ‘knowledge’ holistically. This study is based on the observation that audiences responded differently to Egyptian Tentmaker Applique exhibitions (khiyāmiyya, appropriated as khayamiya) held in regional Australia and the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur. From an immersive setting within Islamic visual culture, these textiles formed a new ‘chapter’ in a much larger story. Within Australia, these spectacular textiles were admired for their affinities to quilting and were appreciated by visitors as cultural ‘bridges’. Each exhibition enabled the creation and transmission of haptic, tacit, and explicit knowledge — forms of knowledge that can all be considered under the conceptual structures of ʿilm. Yet each model — chapter and bridge — featured limitations that shaped the goals of each exhibition. This study identifies the implications of these forms of knowledge when situating ‘Islamic’ art in the context of exhibitions, and what ʿilm may offer curators and educators as a conceptual framework.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 'Ilm |
Subtitle of host publication | Science, religion and art in Islam |
Editors | Samer Akkach |
Place of Publication | Adelaide, Australia |
Publisher | University of Adelaide Press |
Chapter | 11 |
Pages | 181-192 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781925261752, 9781925261769 |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |
Event | 'Ilm: Science, Religion and Art in Islam - The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia Duration: 20 Jul 2016 → 23 Jul 2016 https://ilm-in-islam.org/program/ (conference program) |
Conference
Conference | 'Ilm: Science, Religion and Art in Islam |
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Country/Territory | Australia |
City | Adelaide |
Period | 20/07/16 → 23/07/16 |
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