Loading...
Loading...
The organising committee selected “Mizan” (Balance) as the theme for the 12th edition during a meeting held at the department and chaired by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs and Director of the forum, in the presence of committee members Khalid Al Jallaf, Khalid Al Saei and Taj Alsir Hassan.
Al Qaseer said the Sharjah Calligraphy Forum continues to expand with each edition, reaching a global level thanks to the continued patronage and artistic vision of the Ruler of Sharjah. He noted that the new edition comes in a renewed format, reaffirming Sharjah’s pioneering role in supporting Arabic calligraphy as an authentic Arab art form and strengthening the forum’s noble message, given the historical and Islamic significance of calligraphy.
He added that the theme “Mizan” carries wide artistic connotations, granting calligraphers broad creative vision in producing their works, while enriching their aesthetics and reflecting the distinctive creative character that elevates calligraphic works to a special artistic status.
The organising committee explained that in Arabic calligraphy the concept of balance represents both a structural and aesthetic foundation. Arabic calligraphy is an art based on order and precision, and the dot serves as its primary unit of measurement. Through it, the length, width and curvature of letters are determined. This dot acts as the precise scale that regulates the proportions of letters and grants them internal harmony, ensuring that no letter overwhelms another and that the overall structure of the word or line remains balanced.
Balance also appears clearly in the relationship between mass and empty space within the calligraphic composition. The written letter is not independent of the surrounding space but
exists in constant dialogue with it. The equilibrium between the calligraphic mass and the surrounding space determines the visual rhythm of the work, providing visual comfort and aesthetic appeal. The more carefully this balance is achieved, the stronger and clearer the artwork appears, without overcrowding or excessive emptiness.
The concept of “Mizan” deepens further in the relationship between writing and ornamentation. In Islamic art, ornament is not a secondary or decorative addition, but a visual partner to calligraphy. However, the success of this partnership depends on precise balance, preventing decoration from overpowering the text or distracting from its meaning, while also ensuring that calligraphy does not remain isolated without aesthetic extension. Balance between the two creates an integrated artistic unity in which meaning and form complement one another.
Al Qaseer emphasised that balance is not merely a linguistic concept or measuring tool, but a comprehensive principle that governs the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy. From the dot to the letter, from mass to space, and from writing to ornamentation, balance remains the guarantor of harmony and visual justice, just as it represents fairness and uprightness in language. In this way, “Mizan” transforms from a dictionary term into a living spirit within the calligraphic composition, granting it life and equilibrium.
The organising committee will begin this month sending invitations to calligraphers and artists from around the world and announcing participation through the department’s official website and social media platforms. The deadline for receiving electronic applications will be the end of May, with submissions required to include artists’ details, participating works and their biographies.
For an optimal experience, please
rotate your device to portrait mode.
