Calligraphies and Ornaments leave an Impact among International Exhibitions
A graduation projects exhibition has been held in the College of Fine Arts in the Department of calligraphy and Ornaments, Baghdad University . It has been started by Prof Aqeel Mehd (PhD), Dean of College of Fine Arts and a number of specialists and calligraphers. More than 50 paintings have been on show .This year, the exhibition has left a strong impact .It shows the talents and abilities of the graduates. .It success indicates the new existence of a professional calligraphy generation .The university of Baghdad website team has interviewed prof. Rodhan Al Bahaia, the highly professional calligrapher, who established the Calligraphy Department. As an International jury member, he runs the exhibition every year and evaluates projects of students. He has stated: ‘ these projects in this year provide reflections of the graduates’ performance skills and the new techniques practiced by our students throughout their study that lasts for four academic years .The productions are presented as graduation projects showing students mastery of all calligraphy types whether woven, attributed or parallel. Not to forget their mastery of Islamic, geometric, and construction ornamentations. The exhibition also reflects the widely cultural visions acquired through practicing the field in question which has in turn contributed to calligraphy Uprising in Iraq . .Our students have participated in different international exhibitions in Italy , Turkey , UAE, and Greece . They have been back with great success and achievements’. It is clear that Iraq has regained the echo of its youth creativity through such participations. One of which is the international Calligraphy Contest held in the Research centre of Islamic culture and arts in Istanbul known as ‘ Ariska ‘ in which Prof. Al Bahaiah participated as a jury member. Another exhibition ‘Baghdadi Breeze’ has been held twice in Saint Angles in Italy . On the other hand, Prof, Mohammad Saadi has stated “Arabic calligraphy has its main role in cheering the recipient up through the careful blending and mixture of colors in a painting “. He added that the students use rare techniques that can reflect their professionalism. This year’s projects are the results of one whole academic year where all theoretical and professional experiences are gathered. That’s why they have left unforgettable impact among other exhibitions .Prof, Neseef Jasim Dean of the College of Fine Arts, commented that students’ participation in the annual exhibition reflect their creativity and unlimited aesthetics of their graduation projects. Actually, they emphasize the idea that a Baghdad university student has got a recognized creative thinking ability through colour blending and mixture in their painting”. Students’ projects supervisor, Prof, Ameen anwar Al- Musawi , reported that for students to have such a talent is due to their interests and follows up readings about the recent developments in their field of specialization as has been recommended by the supervising committee. What has made the productions glowing with radiance is the addition of lee box and clear to the painting which will be kept in a cold furnace for 14 hours to have best results.
All the paintings show a new trend in calligraphy through the use of new blends and themes that shy away from the classic impact of old generations. Other three-dimensional works decorated with colored wood and ornamentations representing the aesthetic themes.
It is worth mentioning that the presidency of Baghdad University is providing a special care and support to the faculty of fine arts with all its departments and sections for its effectiveness on different pedagogical and educational levels.
