Good things, happy things, sleepy things and plans for this weekend
I went to see the Shah 'Abbas exhibition at the British Museum with becky_spence last night, and loved it.
One thing that particularly impressed me was the contextualisation - like most English people, I was kinda raised with the vague impression that the world did actually end at the edge of Europe in the 16th century. The Ottoman Empire sort of existed, but after that there was probably a giant waterfall coming off the edge of the world, until people started sailing to America. The Shah 'Abbas exhibition starts off with explaining where Shah Abbas was from (Iran, with an empire running into modern day Iraq as well as modern day Turkey) and when he reigned (mostly concurrently to Elizabeth I). It was strangely humbling to realize that whilst Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh were being dashing and adventurous, and whilst Elizabeth was devouring the heart and stomach of a king being possessed of masculine kingly attributes, there was this whole other sophisticated and advanced society growing and expanding, and to them, Europe were pretty much still howling Barbarians.
And Persia in this time period was, really, much more sophisiticated than Europe. The art, the calligraphy, the science, the craftsmanship...it was amazing. Women had a far greater role in this society - there were female calligraphers who's work was on display, which is quite humbling really and definitely challenges one's views on Islam and Islamic culture. I was also hugely amused by one letter, which was sent out from Shah Abbas, or one of his emissaries, addressed to the 'King of the Franks'. A small note beside it says that 'Franks' was actually a blanket term for Europeans, but this particular letter was probably addressed to the King of France. Considering how many people today lump 'Africa' into one single entity, or 'Asia' or even 'South America', it amuses me to realize that many years ago, the White Europeans were seen in exactly that light.
There was also some lovely Chinese porcelain there, which re-ignited my lust for blue and white chinese ceramics. I know that's a sad thing to love, but I really do. I want a classic willow pattern dinner service one day (even if I recently discovered that the willow pattern story is actually a European invention and not Chinese at all).
Anyway, the Shah 'Abbas exhibition. Really lovely, and it was very nice to see Becky as well. Apologies to those back home who I collapsed unconscious on as soon as I got back to Goblintown. I am weak.
Tonight, I shall have to aim to be stronger, for I need to scramble out of work, and then make a mad run to Essex for my sister's wedding. I'll be mostly wrapped up with that for the weekend, and won't be free again until Sunday.
One thing that particularly impressed me was the contextualisation - like most English people, I was kinda raised with the vague impression that the world did actually end at the edge of Europe in the 16th century. The Ottoman Empire sort of existed, but after that there was probably a giant waterfall coming off the edge of the world, until people started sailing to America. The Shah 'Abbas exhibition starts off with explaining where Shah Abbas was from (Iran, with an empire running into modern day Iraq as well as modern day Turkey) and when he reigned (mostly concurrently to Elizabeth I). It was strangely humbling to realize that whilst Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh were being dashing and adventurous, and whilst Elizabeth was devouring the heart and stomach of a king being possessed of masculine kingly attributes, there was this whole other sophisticated and advanced society growing and expanding, and to them, Europe were pretty much still howling Barbarians.
And Persia in this time period was, really, much more sophisiticated than Europe. The art, the calligraphy, the science, the craftsmanship...it was amazing. Women had a far greater role in this society - there were female calligraphers who's work was on display, which is quite humbling really and definitely challenges one's views on Islam and Islamic culture. I was also hugely amused by one letter, which was sent out from Shah Abbas, or one of his emissaries, addressed to the 'King of the Franks'. A small note beside it says that 'Franks' was actually a blanket term for Europeans, but this particular letter was probably addressed to the King of France. Considering how many people today lump 'Africa' into one single entity, or 'Asia' or even 'South America', it amuses me to realize that many years ago, the White Europeans were seen in exactly that light.
There was also some lovely Chinese porcelain there, which re-ignited my lust for blue and white chinese ceramics. I know that's a sad thing to love, but I really do. I want a classic willow pattern dinner service one day (even if I recently discovered that the willow pattern story is actually a European invention and not Chinese at all).
Anyway, the Shah 'Abbas exhibition. Really lovely, and it was very nice to see Becky as well. Apologies to those back home who I collapsed unconscious on as soon as I got back to Goblintown. I am weak.
Tonight, I shall have to aim to be stronger, for I need to scramble out of work, and then make a mad run to Essex for my sister's wedding. I'll be mostly wrapped up with that for the weekend, and won't be free again until Sunday.