Qatar
Silk route to Safavid Iran
MIA presents 'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' exhibition highlighting the vibrant social, economic and artistic life of the empire (1501-1736)
October 23, 2023 | 11:32 PM
The exhibition 'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' has opened at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and will be on view in MIA's Sheikh Saoud Gallery until April 20, 2024, highlighting the significance of silk in the vibrant social, economic, and artistic life of the Safavid Empire (1501-1736).'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' was first conceived by and presented at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, DC, and shown as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture. Planned under the direction of MIA curator Dr Nicoletta Fazio, 'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' expands on the original exhibition concept, as conceived and organised in Washington, DC.Powerful intermediaries for new artistic ideas that stimulated a new visual language, such textiles were among the most desirable luxury commodities traded across the globe at the time. The exhibition is further enriched by a set of four full-length portraits which provide a glimpse into the diverse population and the opulence that characterised the Safavid imperial capital of Isfahan.The exhibition begins with a presentation of the geographical and historical setting in which the Safavid ruler, Shah 'Abbas I, established the silk monopoly and state-funded textile industry. The second part focuses on Isfahan, the capital at the time, and the empire's main marketplace. The third part explores the art and practices of self-representation in Safavid society through fashion, pairing historical textiles with contemporary paintings and written sources.The fourth and final section, 'Fashion Forward', bridges the past with the present, displaying a selection of specially commissioned pieces, garments, and handbags created by Qatar-based designers inspired by Safavid textiles and paintings from MIA's permanent collection.Complimenting the exhibition, MIA launched for the first time ever, a narrative podcast series comprising six episodes that reveal the story of the Safavid dynasty's splendour and its silk production through several highlight pieces from the exhibit. The six podcast episodes will match the order of how its corresponding star objects appear in the exhibition space, shedding further light on the fashion of Safavid Iran and its elegance through tales of textiles, this magnificent golden age, and its continued impact on today's creative practices."The Museum of Islamic Art is proud to present 'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' exhibition featuring a selection of extraordinary textiles from its collection," Dr Julia Gonnella, Director of MIA said. "More than 100 works will be on view, drawn from MIA and Qatar Museums' permanent collections as well as loans from the Qatar National Library, including a wide selection of artefacts, amongst them 20 precious brocade silk textiles and 12 carpets from the Safavid period. Through the presentation of our collection, we hope to deepen the understanding and appreciation for Islamic art and demonstrate the vast diversity of Islamic culture across the world."The exhibition includes a final section that embraces contemporary fashion designs, with five Qatar-based designers showcasing their bespoke designs inspired by objects displayed in the exhibition. The pieces include Yasmin Mansour's large kaftan and rug; Arman Mansouri's two unisex blazers; Jawaher al-Darwish's seven hand carved clutches and scarf; Noor al-Thani's impressive abaya; and Roni Helou's vegan, eco-printed dress.These five designers were selected in collaboration with M7 — Qatar's epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion, and technology and supported by MIA curator Dr Tara Desjardins. M7 is committed to accelerating the growth of Qatar's creative economy; this is done through providing local and international opportunities for designers to further their careers or businesses.M7 continues to collaborate across entities within Qatar Museum to shine the spotlight on the local design community and amplify their work. From October 23, 2023, to January 30, 2024, visitors can also delve into the treasures of Isfahan through the captivating 'Welcome to Isfahan' rare book display on view at the MIA Library.This collection provides an extensive guide to Isfahan during the Safavid Empire and will allow its visitors to discover Iran's long and distinguished history and culture, and to explore renowned architectural marvels, artistic masterpieces, delectable cuisine, groundbreaking scientific advancements, and an intriguing European perspective on the city's distinctive style.An exquisite collection of products inspired by artworks featured in the exhibition will also be available at the MIA Gift Shop and at www.inq-online.com, comprising a diverse array of offerings from inviting cushions to elegant coasters, stylish trays to artfully crafted keychains, magnets, and notebooks. The 'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' exhibition is accompanied by an exhibition album, a forthcoming publication edited by Nicoletta Fazio that presents original research by the MIA team and international scholars and a selection of objects, with catalogue entries and beautiful close-up images, which will also be available at the gift shop.'Fashioning an Empire: Textiles from Safavid Iran' exhibition opens just more than a year after MIA's reopening to the public following an extensive facilities enhancement project, which saw the reimagination and reinstallation of the museum's permanent collection galleries. One of the world's premier institutions of Islamic art and the first world-class museum in the region, the reimagined MIA provides a more accessible, engaging, and educational experience for guests. Around 1,000 objects many newly conserved or acquired are displayed in the museum's permanent galleries for the first time, alongside the masterpieces for which MIA has long been recognised.
October 23, 2023 | 11:32 PM