Declaration by eL Seed at Tashkeel
eL Seed is known for his use of larger than life murals using traditional Arabic calligraphy. For his latest exhibition titled "Declaration" at Tashkeel, his work has taken on a sculptural form and the gallery is covered with giant pink calligraphy. The exhibition is on till Saturday, 27th December 2014.
Here are photos from the exhibition:
Developed over the course of his residency at Tashkeel and presented in collaboration with the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, el Seed took his inspiration from a poem by Nizar Qabbani.
The poet describes the beauty of his lover despite her age and eL Seed uses this poem as the basis of his work, publicly declaring his love for the ancient art of calligraphy.
Using large scale sculptures that weave through the walls and floors, spilling beyond the confines of the gallery, each stroke of a letter and word seeks to build an affinity with the spectator and invites them to be part of the conversation – a conversation between the poem, the language, the form and eL Seed.
By introducing these works into a new medium, eL Seed pays homage to his earlier pieces, artistically articulating his process of reinvention.
“These new works are an approach to have the viewer more involved with the piece, and move away from being a spectator. Jean Cocteau said ‘There is no love. There are only proofs of love’ and bringing my art into 3D was a way to allow it to materialize. The work is still tied to my instinctive visual language, but by releasing the letter forms I've discovered new territories for expression that celebrate and elaborate my deep respect and love for this art,” says eL Seed.
Event details
Date: On till Saturday, 27th December 2014, Saturday - Thursdau, 8:00am - 10:00pm
Venue: Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba (location map)
Free entry.