Islamic art on display

At Kiesling

House, UCC

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Muslim artist and lecturer on Islamic art, calligraphy and architecture Fawzia Reda is displaying an exhibit "Look! This is Love" this weekend and next weekend at the CANU Kiesling House and United Church of Christ.

Reda has selected works of three internationally-renown Muslim calligraphers and their selected texts from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions. Artwork comes from China, Syria, and Palestine.

Art subjects include biblical quotes, old poetry and the wisdom of Plato and Pythagoras.

Reda talked about some of the misconceptions regarding her art work.

"Most people think Arab calligraphy is from the Koran, which is not true," Reda said.

The exhibit was held at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities recently and has appeared in other cities.

Reda was born in Egypt and is now living in Minneapolis. Her mother was Turkish and her father was Lebanese. She came to the University of Minnesota in 1972 to study architecture, graphic arts and theater.

Fifteen years ago, she created Cultural Connexions, a non-profit organization registered in Minneapolis with liaisons in Jerusalem, Israel; Amman, Jordan; Cairo, Egypt; and Paris, France.

The organization aspires to promote and preserve the Arabic and Islamic arts and cultures. It is geared to foster better dialogue in international humanitarian organizations like The Red Cross and UNICEF, which focus on heightening awareness of the cultural and humanitarian situations in the Middle East.

Reda was invited to New Ulm by the Rev. Hank Epp of the UCC.

Exhibit hours at the Kiesling House are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4&11 and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5&12. Displays at the UCC are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4&11; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5&12; and 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 7-10 and 14-17.

For more information, call the UCC at 354-4242.