SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL (SIAF) 2018-19 Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organized the 21st edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF). The exhibition officially opened at the Sharjah Art Museum in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Mohammed Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Farah Qassim Mohammed, Islamic Arts Festival Executive and the respected guests.

The light projection is A clear harmony between two creative languages: visual and audio language. The work emerges from the artistic collaboration between artists Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf. The artwork is the result of question posed by Al Ghanem in her journey towards finding the answers. She explains, "If frequency had a magnetic field, then we must take it into account. There is an extraordinary power in the letters and names and their frequencies and digital measurements, especially if they were related to the names of God."

"And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them, " - Surat Al A'raf, is a fundamental answer to the question of the importance and capacity of the names of God. It explains the invitation to believers to use these names in their supplications. By reciting the names of God, the believer benefits from its magnetic field, generated by their vibrations.

On the other hand, Sami Yusuf is interested in numerical value of the names of God. Each frequency has also designated number. With his voice, he created vibrations that are part of the light projection. Numbers, associated with the names of Allah are flowing on the screen in cosmic connection. 'Room of Mysteries' is a calm place to meditate and contemplate on our existence and spiritual connection with Devine.

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, detail / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, detail / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, detail / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, detail / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Room of Mysteries by Nahjoum Al Ghanem and Sami Yusuf, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The light installation 'Room of Mysteries' is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival until January 19, 2019.