How L.A.'s Islamic Art Shows Might Expand Our 'Middle East' Vision

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
By Carolina A. Miranda

George Awde, Untitled, 2013, inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist

CALIFORNIA---A series of exhibitions scheduled to land in Los Angeles starting in September should help open some minds. The Los Angeles/Islam Arts Initiative (LA/IAI), led by the Department of Cultural Affairs, will bring together nearly 30 cultural institutions in the L.A. area to stage exhibitions and events that will tell the story of Islamic art around the world. This should offer some perspective on the culture of a region whose politics and traditions are often oversimplified, when they aren't serving as a source of outright caricature. The initiative will consist of dozens of exhibitions, screenings, lectures and symposia covering topics as varied as decorative objects, contemporary art, folk traditions and architectural photography. [link]