Jordana and I spent Tuesday afternoon at L'Institut du Monde Arabe at rue de Fosses Saint-Bernard. She was doing research for her senior design project. We also wanted to see an exhibition currently underway about ornately-designed armour and protection for horses, as well as intricately-detailed weapons from previous centuries.
The Institute aims to foster knowledge of the Arab World culture by exchanging information about art, science and technology. French architect Jean Nouvel designed the extraordinary building in 1987. It features a huge south-facing garden courtyard wall comprised of numerous dimensioned metallic cutouts set in pierced metal borders. These diaphragms operate like a camera lens, controlling the sun's penetration into the building. This creates the effect of a giant Islamic pierced screen - typically crafted in wood - with a modern edge. The building houses a museum, exhibition areas, a library, a 300-seat hall and a restaurant, as well as offices and car parking.
Interior stairwells and elevator shafts.
Interior metallic panels based on Islamic designs.
Looking out onto the interior courtyard.
A close-up of the interwoven design of a steel panel.
Steel interior panels featuring traditional Islamic shapes with modern materials.
A huge exhibition poster displayed outside the museum.
A scene from the exhibition. Photographs were forbidden; one videographer had quite a tussle with security guards. But Jordana managed to discreetly snap a few images.
These engraved and bejeweled sabers and knives are displayed in rows as though they're dancing, but they're deadly weapons.
After visiting both the museum and exhibition, we went across the courtyard to a cafe and artisanal shop and drank Moroccan mint tea. That gave us enough energy to browse through the books, postcards and many beautiful products produced in the Arab World. A little bottle of Egyptian kohl and a brass kohl dispenser came home with Jordana, to compare it with ordinary eyeliner.
Photos by Jordana Shalhoub and Tara Bradford
OH I love the ARab Institute, I saw the King Tut exhibit there as well as others. Its so unique. You captured it perfectly! Bravo.
Posted by: Riana | 07 September 2007 at 20:51
All those photos and insights (in every sense of the word *g*) are wonderful (and make me ask you what camera you're using).
Tara responds:
Merci bien! It's a Konica Minolta digital.
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 07 September 2007 at 11:05
Um, wow. That is so cool looking!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 07 September 2007 at 02:22
That's one of the coolest buildings I've ever seen! I've never heard of such a thing. Totally love the modern design and elements to create the traditional Islamic designs. One of my passions when traveling is enjoying the architecture. One of my SIL's is a New Yorker; she says you can tell the tourists because they are always looking up at the buildings - that would be me. I do it in SF too though, so I'd even gladly take the tourist title in my own neighborhood.
Posted by: Madeline | 06 September 2007 at 19:52
a very interesting exibition worth while visiting. throughout the centuries arab culture and art have not received the acknowledgement of the west. who to blaim?
to many the nearest prove can be seen in southern spain in the marvelous structures of l'alhambra, remeniscing about the mezquita and street lights in cordoba in the early 8th. and 10th. century when the rest of europe still lived in the dark...
Posted by: marita | 06 September 2007 at 18:20
Wow!! I am forwarding the link of this post to my daughter, she will be enthralled!!
Posted by: stephanie | 06 September 2007 at 17:13
What an amazing building - i love that intricate sort of design, thanks for showing.
Posted by: JUDY WILKENFELD | 06 September 2007 at 13:10
How exquisite!
Posted by: Jeanne | 06 September 2007 at 12:19
I was waiting for this post ..It is wonderful. I love this place
Posted by: Mélanie | 06 September 2007 at 08:52
Wow, wow, wow! I have booked a flight for Paris for Christmas.. I hope this is open then becasue its on my "to do" list!
Posted by: Simon | 06 September 2007 at 02:21
Mmm, I love Moroccan mint tea. Or at least, the American version of it.
What an intricately designed building. The exhibit looks fascinating - I had to laugh though, at the contrast between my post today, about my taking too many photos on an outing with my daughter, versus your daughter discreetly snapping some forbidden ones. I think I need to take lessons from Jordana, on discreet photography, lol.
Posted by: tinker | 06 September 2007 at 01:56
Okay Tara, I love this building, and quite honestly, I have NEVER seen anything like it. A true work of art. Stunning. Thanks for the photos you posted. Way to go Jordana, sneaking photos of the sabres for us, they too are a work of art. With a lot of history ingrained in them I'll bet. Is this a travelling exhibit? Just wondering what the chances are of ever seeing it in Toronto are.
You will have to let us know if Jordana prefers kohl, I guess that is what Cleopatra herself would have used!
xo
Blue
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 06 September 2007 at 01:47
What an amazing building and a great way to spend the day. It seems like you spent the day in Morocco, how cool is that. XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 06 September 2007 at 00:46
Oh, I see that Jordana took some pictures as well! Like mother, like daughter! Thank you!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 05 September 2007 at 23:49
What an incredible building! And you take such great photos, Tara- I feel as if I can reach out and touch it!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 05 September 2007 at 23:48
Simply amazing details. You'll have to post more about Jordana's project.
Posted by: tut-tut | 05 September 2007 at 23:44
The design of that building is fascinating. And the knife and saber display looks quite menacing. A lot to pique the interest of a design student, I would say.
Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your time with your daughter. How you must be enjoying it :)
Posted by: Becca | 05 September 2007 at 23:40