Page 214 - Memory of the East
P. 214
East Is Inspiring
Some people may ask: what made the image of the East for
westerners? What has always connected the East in the European
imagination with this amazing charm? What made the image
of the eastern woman with this beauty as the eastern people
themselves rediscovered her? What drew that roaring picture
of bustling markets, stunning music, the enchanting nature
overflowing with music, the towering grandeur monuments
that no one could ignore, and the random movement that was
organized in full harmony? In this exhibition, there are some
of the answers that date back to more than two centuries ago,
when some travelers and scholars traveled to the East; they were
surprised by the material and literary monuments of this world,
a society rich in myths; some of his scholars translated Arabic
literature into their languages and some of their artists depicted
all that were caught in their eyes from live observations of people,
monuments, markets, customs and traditions that astonished the
hearts of the viewers. The translation of the French scientist and
orientalist Antoine Galland to the book “The Thousand and One
Nights” into the French language from 1704 to 1717 has the
greatest impact on this matter. The visits of orientalists of different
countries and languages to those eastern societies increased,
due to their desire to communicate directly with the East and to
experience its charming poetic conditions.
Since this date, the East has become a source of inspiration for
a large number of Western artists. This inspiration embodied in a
huge artistic legacy and a huge number of wonderful artworks,
many of which decorate the walls of world museums, including
what our Egyptian museums are filled with. Today, we celebrate
displaying them through the art show “Memory of the East”,
which joins the series of “Treasures of Our Art Museums” that
adopted the task of reviving our artistic memory. It became a real
opportunity for a whole generation of young artists, students and
researchers to see and enjoy this artistic wealth; it even makes us
proud that we are part of a world that is inspired by its beauty,
charm, and authenticity.
Ehab El-Labban
Director of Center of Arts
«Aisha Fahmy Palace»
212
Some people may ask: what made the image of the East for
westerners? What has always connected the East in the European
imagination with this amazing charm? What made the image
of the eastern woman with this beauty as the eastern people
themselves rediscovered her? What drew that roaring picture
of bustling markets, stunning music, the enchanting nature
overflowing with music, the towering grandeur monuments
that no one could ignore, and the random movement that was
organized in full harmony? In this exhibition, there are some
of the answers that date back to more than two centuries ago,
when some travelers and scholars traveled to the East; they were
surprised by the material and literary monuments of this world,
a society rich in myths; some of his scholars translated Arabic
literature into their languages and some of their artists depicted
all that were caught in their eyes from live observations of people,
monuments, markets, customs and traditions that astonished the
hearts of the viewers. The translation of the French scientist and
orientalist Antoine Galland to the book “The Thousand and One
Nights” into the French language from 1704 to 1717 has the
greatest impact on this matter. The visits of orientalists of different
countries and languages to those eastern societies increased,
due to their desire to communicate directly with the East and to
experience its charming poetic conditions.
Since this date, the East has become a source of inspiration for
a large number of Western artists. This inspiration embodied in a
huge artistic legacy and a huge number of wonderful artworks,
many of which decorate the walls of world museums, including
what our Egyptian museums are filled with. Today, we celebrate
displaying them through the art show “Memory of the East”,
which joins the series of “Treasures of Our Art Museums” that
adopted the task of reviving our artistic memory. It became a real
opportunity for a whole generation of young artists, students and
researchers to see and enjoy this artistic wealth; it even makes us
proud that we are part of a world that is inspired by its beauty,
charm, and authenticity.
Ehab El-Labban
Director of Center of Arts
«Aisha Fahmy Palace»
212
