Event:

Whispering Reeds in Woven Gardens

10 Oct 2014
12 Oct 2014

“Whispering Reeds in Woven Gardens” is an exhibition of the visual artist Irini Gonou composed of seven in situ ritual installations integrating the restorative elements of the Islamic garden with the protective power of the written word in Arabic script.
“As a jannah or a bustan the Islamic garden and its archetype of paradise is nature in its tamed state and the serenity and harmony this provides. The arrangement and structure of my woven gardens - with articulated fields of plant-imbued fabrics irrigated with water-like indigo blue areas - are a reference to the Islamic garden paradigm. In the sequel, cotton, linen or silk cloths are dyed naturally with roots, barks, leaves or flowers and filled with their protective qualities. I explore the concept that in many traditional societies and cultures cloth is believed to be a living thing, it records life. And, as a storyteller narrates, filled with signs and permeated with plants, it can be a messenger emitting healing and protective essences.

In Islamic culture script is considered to have magical force and the written word provides supernatural protection.

My whispering reeds - which are both ornamental amulets and writing implements - are inscribed in Arabic with the verses of the Syrian poet Adonis, offering in this way their protection through art”.

http://islamic-gardens.imaret.org.gr/

Protective cloth with inscribed reeds, 2014 - Indian cotton, vegetable dyes, antique Indian silk fabric, reeds, walnut ink, cotton and hemp string, brass bell charms, 190x93cm Protective cloth made of cotton and permeated with vegetable dye from roots, bark, leaves and flowers. The inscribed reeds knotted on it are meant to be read as protective incantations. Incantations or epodes are ritual recitations which in some cultural areas are still believed to be therapeutic irini gonou

“Whispering Reeds in Woven Gardens” is an exhibition of the visual artist Irini Gonou composed of seven in situ ritual installations integrating the restorative elements of the Islamic garden with the protective power of the written word in Arabic script.
“As a jannah or a bustan the Islamic garden and its archetype of paradise is nature in its tamed state and the serenity and harmony this provides. The arrangement and structure of my woven gardens - with articulated fields of plant-imbued fabrics irrigated with water-like indigo blue areas - are a reference to the Islamic garden paradigm. In the sequel, cotton, linen or silk cloths are dyed naturally with roots, barks, leaves or flowers and filled with their protective qualities. I explore the concept that in many traditional societies and cultures cloth is believed to be a living thing, it records life. And, as a storyteller narrates, filled with signs and permeated with plants, it can be a messenger emitting healing and protective essences.

In Islamic culture script is considered to have magical force and the written word provides supernatural protection.

My whispering reeds - which are both ornamental amulets and writing implements - are inscribed in Arabic with the verses of the Syrian poet Adonis, offering in this way their protection through art”.

http://islamic-gardens.imaret.org.gr/