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 | February 2010 |
GARDEN OF HEAVEN
Exhibition – Introduction
27 March – 11 April 2010
The Burrell Collection
Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow G43 1ATAn exciting opportunity to view Sir William Burrell’s prized 17th century Persian “Wagner” Garden Carpet, believed to be the second most important Iranian carpet in the UK after the Ardabil Carpet at the V&A |
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Organised bySupported byIran Heritage FoundationIntroductionThe Wagner Garden Carpet is considered to be one of the three earliest surviving Persian garden carpets in the world, the other two being at the Jaipur Museum and the Museum of Industrial Art in Vienna. However, the design of this particular carpet is unique, and no other examples resembling it or using part of its base-pattern have yet been identified. Due to its large size and condition, measuring approximately 5.5m x 4.3m, this Safavid carpet has only been seen in public twice in the last 30 years. Believed to have been made in Kerman, or possibly Isfahan, it has a woollen pile, cotton warps, and wool and cotton wefts. Named after a previous German owner (Wagner), the carpet’s unique and beautiful design is of a four quartered garden (Chahar-Bagh) divided by water channels that form the letter H, with a water basin in the centre of the short horizontal channel. The garden is filled with Cypresses and flowering trees and shrubs, and populated with an array of birds, butterflies and animals; and several types of fish and duck float on the water channels. Lions, leopards, gazelles, peacocks, storks and pigeons, roam the garden. The symmetrical layout and bordered water channels are not only reminiscent of Safavid royal gardens in Isfahan, but also resemble descriptions of Gardens of Paradise in the Qur’an.To launch the display there will be a one day symposium of talks on Saturday 27 March, exploring the theme of Paradise gardens in Islamic Art and culture, and the horticultural traditions of Iran as well as a programme of public events for both adults and families. Introduction TalksBrief talks delivered daily by Burrell Guides
27 March – 11 April 2010SymposiumThe Garden of Heaven
In association with the Iranian-Scottish Association.
Saturday 27 March, 11.00am – 4.30pmThrough five lectures, this symposium explores the historical, cultural and artistic context of the Wagner Garden Carpet, including the concept of Paradise in Iranian heritage; the Safavid Dynasty and its carpet industry; a historical overview of the horticultural practices and traditions of Iran; Iranian gardens today; the celebrations of the Spring Equinox and Norooz – the Persian New Year – and gardens in the poetry and song of Iran. The speakers are:
Prof. Robert Hillenbrand, University of Edinburgh
Jennifer Scarce, Honorary Lecturer, University of Dundee
Penelope Hobhouse, gardener and garden historian
Faryar Javaherian, architect, Tehran, Iran
Narguess Farzad, Senior Fellow in Persian, School of Oriental and African Studies, London. Free but booking advised (contact Tel. No.: 0141 287 2563). Public Events ProgrammeBurrell for Families programme: Carpet Creations
Saturday 27 March, 2.00pmWork together as a family to make a textile piece with patterns drawn from the Wagner Garden Carpet. The workshop lasts about 90 minutes, and is suitable for families with children aged 5–12. Lecture and film screening: Painting with Persian Poetry
Sunday 28 March, 2.30pm The Burrell Lecture Theatre. In this illustrated lecture, Jila Peacock, an Iranian-born painter and printmaker, explores the art of zoomorphic calligraphy – a distinct genre using Arabic and Persian script – and her experimentation with it. She also introduces the screening of ‘Tongue of the Hidden’, a short animated film of her calligraphy, visualizing and interpreting two medieval Persian love poems by Hafiz of Shiraz. Garden of Heaven: Story Telling for Families
Sunday 28 March, 2.30 – 4.30pm
(Also on 4 and 11 April). In association with the Village Story Telling Centre. Animation screening: The Tongue of the Hidden
Monday 29 March – Sunday 11 April Daily, throughout the day, in the Burrell Lecture Theatre. The ‘Tongue of the Hidden’ is an animation of two poems by the celebrated medieval Iranian love poet and Sufi mystic Hafiz of Shiraz (AD 1315–90). The six-minute film is made from Persian calligraphy scripted by the Iranian-born artist Jila Peacock, directed by Bafta award winner David Alexander Anderson and produced by Animate projects Ltd in 2007. Wee Wednesdays (for families)
Wednesday 31 March, 11.00am – 12noon On this day parents and toddlers can drop in and discover the magic of this Persian Garden in an exciting multi-sensory workshop. Curators’ Favourites lunchtime talk: The Wagner Garden Carpet, a Persian carpet from 17th-century Iran
Wednesday 31 March, 12.30pm Meet in the Burrell Courtyard.
Noorah Al-Gailani, Curator of Islamic Civilizations. The Shahnameh: A Persian medieval epic and manifesto of benevolence, justice and wisdom
Wednesday 31 March, 2.00pm The Burrell Lecture Theatre. In this lecture Azin Haghighi, an Iranian poet and PhD researcher at the University of Strathclyde, explores the epic poem Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) – which tells the story of Iran from creation to the dawn of Islam, and the life of its author Firdawsi (AD 935–1020). Carpet Gardeners (for families)
Saturday 3 April, 2pm Drop in workshop, Families. To celebrate the display of a unique Persian garden carpet, help us create a giant garden inside the museum. Garden of Heaven: Story Telling for Families
Sunday 4 April, 2.30 – 4.30pm
(Also on 11 April).
In association with the Village Story Telling Centre. Sit on beautiful Persian carpets and listen as storytellers tell you about the legends and fairytales of Ancient Persia – today’s Iran. Each Sunday session will have a different storyteller and set of stories. Zest: Garden of Heaven (for families)
Tuesday 6 April, 10.30am -12noon
(Also on Thursday 8 April) Exercise your green thumb with workshops exploring a unique Persian garden carpet.
Booking required
Please phone 0141 287 2564 or email BurrellL&A@csglasgow.org to book in advance as places are limited. Zest: Garden of Heaven (for youth)
Tuesday 6 April, 2pm - 4pm
(Also on Thursday 8 April)
Drop in art workshop for 13 – 16 year olds. Green art and design at the Burrell – learn more about the Persian garden carpet on display and design your own garden of heaven. Zest: Garden of Heaven (for families)
Thursday 8 April, 10.30am -12noon Exercise your green thumb with workshops exploring a unique Persian garden carpet.
Booking required
Please phone 0141 287 2564 or email BurrellL&A@csglasgow.org to book in advance as places are limited. Zest: Garden of Heaven (for youth)
Thursday 8 April, 2pm - 4pm
Drop in art workshop for 13 – 16 year olds. Green art and design at the Burrell – learn more about the Persian garden carpet on display and design your own garden of heaven. Garden of Heaven: Story Telling for Families
Sunday 11 April, 2.30 – 4.30pm
In association with the Village Story Telling Centre. Sit on beautiful Persian carpets and listen as storytellers tell you about the legends and fairytales of Ancient Persia – today’s Iran. Each Sunday session will have a different storyteller and set of stories. Registration & TicketingAll events are free to the public but require booking in advanceVenueThe Burrell Collection
Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow G43 1AT
Website: The Burrell Collection
Free entry to the museum, to the carpet display and to all accompanying events.Further Information:For up to date information and further details see the Burrell Collection pages on Glasgow Museums website.Contacts:Public Enquiries Desk Tel. 0141 287 2550
Curator of Islamic Civilisations Tel. 0141 287 2563
Email: noorah.gailani@csglasgow.org | 
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