The home for each of these pieces of art is carefully chosen, and this is why Nun wa al Qalam – an artwork that embodies the essence of Islamic cultural heritage – is housed at Qatar National Library (QNL), where it encourages creative thinking and cross-cultural dialogue, and contributes to the library being a place not only for reading, but for benefiting from what art can tell us.
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Designed and created by Iranian calligrapher, visual artist, and architect Ramin Shirdel in 2018, it is all about fluidity, with bright colors and delicate curves.
As Abeer al-Kuwari, Director of Research and Learning Services at QNL, says: “Nun wa al Qalam is a symbol of Qatar’s commitment to preserving cultural its heritage while embracing the modern world.
“The artwork is a reflection of Qatar National Library’s efforts to promote and preserve the development of the Arabic language locally and regionally. This is also reflected through the library’s extensive collection of Arabic books, in addition to its unrivaled digital resources and ongoing support for Arabic writers and publishers.”
Al-Kuwari explained that Nun wa al Qalam expresses Shirdel’s “innovative and contemporary approach to Islamic calligraphy”, as he uses a three-dimensional design of words in Arabic calligraphy to “create a sense of movement and flow”.
“As visitors stand in front of Nun wa al Qalam, they cannot help but feel a sense of awe and wonder,” she said. “The artwork is more than a just a work of art; it is a testament to the power of art to inspire, enlighten, and bring people together.
“As a beacon of cultural preservation and intellectual pursuit, the Qatar National Library finds its essence encapsulated within the mesmerising strokes of Nun wa al Qalam. Its presence within the library's walls solidifies its role as an institution dedicated to safeguarding the treasures of the past while fostering the limitless potential of the future.”
Speaking about his artistic driving force, Shirdel said: “Over the past decade, I have regarded my artworks as a union between space and object, taking the form of fluid sculptures.
“When I create art, it is consistently an endeavour to blur the boundaries between various mediums and achieve a convergence of architecture, sculpture, painting, and poetry. Unlike the conventional use of words and text, which often emphasises stylistic writing, I am intrigued by the ways in which words can be read an experienced within a spatial context.
“My interest lies in exploring how words can be perceived and visualised, transforming them into an immersive journey that transcends the traditional confines of language.”
Looking back at the task he was commissioned to undertake by QNL – the creation of Nun wa al Qalam – Shirdel recalled: “The QNL piece was important to me in many ways.
“I was collaborating with [QNL architect] Rem Koolhaas in what is, to me, one of the most influential and important buildings of contemporary architecture. So the work had to be a harmonious addition to this beautifully orchestrated space.
“Creating art for a strong cultural institution like Qatar Foundation, and for this library – a cradle of innovation, arts, and knowledge – was very intriguing to me.”
Born in 1981, and a graduate of Tehran University of Arts, Shirdel has held exhibitions of his work across many countries across the Arab world and beyond. And when it comes to Nun wa al Qalam, his key idea was to incorporate Arabic calligraphy in “vibrant magenta”, saying: “By leveraging the dynamic nature of the library, where visitors can navigate different levels and enjoy visual connections from various orientations, the artwork’s form engages people from multiple angles and perspectives.
“This work takes on a poetic quality. It is like a poem with rhythm and rhyme, inviting people to read it – much like the books within Qatar National Library.”
