When we hear about the Middle East and the cradle of Islam, many will no doubt think of news or politics-- about a war in Syria or civil unrest in Egypt. But that would be only a partial picture. There are major cultural and artistic elements that have been created within the region.
A new exhibition called “Echoes” at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art takes classical and ancient works of Islamic art and puts them alongside contemporary pieces, casting Islamic art in a new light.
One of the most exciting things during the exhibit is by local KC artist, Asheer Akram. He designed and built a Pakistani cargo truck, a major cultural effort in Pakistan.
Check out Akram's version starting August 29 at 7 pm on the north side of the Bloch Building, and the rest of "Echoes: Islamic Art and Contemporary Artists" through March 30, 2014.
Guests:
- Kimberly Masteller: Jeanne McCray Beals Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art at the Nelson-Atkins
- Asheer Akram: Local artist and creator of the Pakistani Cargo Truck Initiative
