
Geometric Aljamia: A Cultural Transliteration is a cross-cultural collaboration that addresses how connections between the Middle East and the West during the Golden Age of Islamic Civilization continue to be relevant and vibrant in the twenty-first century. The project includes artists, designers, performers, and writers from Afghanistan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the United States. Aljamia is a medieval Spanish word that refers to Romance language written in Arabic script. The resulting transliteration contributed to the dissemination of the Arabic language and Islamic influences throughout the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. By understanding the arts as a transliteration of one form of thinking to another and addressing the fundamental patterns and geometry embedded in visual art and poetry, this project revisits the ongoing impact of Islamic art, science, and philosophy throughout the world today.
Artists
Jorge Benitez, Reni Gower, Hanane Korchi, Julia Townsend
Exhibition curated by Reni Gower
In-Person Reception
Friday, October 13, 2023, 6:00-8:00pm EST
(text and background only visible when logged in)
FREE Virtual Artist Talks

Join curator Reni Gower along with Jorge Benitez, Susan Schuld, and Julia Townsend as they discuss their inspirations and contributions to the Geometric Aljamia: A Cultural Transliteration.
(text and background only visible when logged in)
FREE Virtual Lecture

Professors Dr. Natalie Khazaal, Associate Professor in the School of Modern Languages and the Director of the Arabic, Middle East and North Africa programs and Dr. Mohammad Ghomi, Professor in the School of Mathmatics will interpret the concepts from the exhibit Geometric Aljamia: A Cultural Transliteration in their respective fields. Learn a bit more about Middle Eastern culture and the math found in the lovely geometric patterns of Islamic cultures.