Arab World Institute

The members of the Arab World Institute.

The Arab World Institute (abbreviated "AWI"; French: Institut du Monde Arabe, abbreviated "IMA") is an organization founded in Paris in 1980 by 18 Arab countries with France to research and disseminate information about the Arab world and its cultural and spiritual values. The Institute was established as a result of a perceived lack of representation for the Arab world in France, and seeks to provide a secular location for the promotion of Arab civilization, art, knowledge, and aesthetics.[1] Housed within the institution are a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, offices and meeting rooms.

History

The AWI is located in a building known as the Institut du Monde Arabe, the same name as the institute, on Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally, a project conceived in 1973 by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.[1] The museum was constructed between 1981 and 1987 under the presidency of French President Francois Mitterrand as part of his urban development series entitled, the "Grand Projets."[1] The Institute promotes cooperation and exchanges between France and the Arab nations, particularly in the areas of science and technology, contributing to the understanding between the Arab world and Europe. Libya joined the institute in 1984.

Architecture

Exterior view of the southern facade

The building was constructed from 1981 to 1987 and has floor space of 181,850 square feet (16,894 m2). The Architecture-Studiotogether with Jean Nouvel, won the 1981 design competition.[2] This project is a result of funds from both the League of Arab States and the French government, with the cost of the building totaling around €230,000,000.[3] The building acts as a buffer zone between the Jussieu Campus of Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris VI), built in large rationalist urban blocks, and the Seine. The river façade follows the curve of the waterway, reducing the hardness of a rectangular grid and offering an inviting view from the Sully Bridge. At the same time the building appears to fold itself back in the direction of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district.

In contrast to the curved surface on the river side, the southwest façade is an uncompromisingly rectangular glass-clad curtain wall. It faces a large square public space that opens in the direction of the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame. Visible behind the glass wall, a metallic screen unfolds with moving geometric motifs. The motifs are actually 240 photo-sensitive motor-controlled apertures, or shutters, which act as a sophisticated brise soleil that automatically opens and closes to control the amount of light and heat entering the building from the sun. The mechanism creates interior spaces with filtered light — an effect often used in Islamic architecture with its climate-oriented strategies. The innovative use of technology and success of the building's design catapulted Nouvel to fame and is one of the cultural reference points of Paris.

Aga Khan Award

Recipient of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence. Jury members included, historian Oleg Grabar.[3]

Museum

View of special exhibition, Osiris: the submerged mysteries of Egypt. Fall/2015 - Spring/2016

Within the museum are objects from the Arab world ranging from before Islam through into the twentieth century. One of the main initiatives within the museum is the inclusion of special exhibitions.

Special Exhibitions

Raghunath Manet performing at the AWI

In popular culture

Michel Houellebecq sets a pivotal scene in his novel Submission at a reception held in the Institute's rooftop restaurant and terrace.[5]

Presidents of the AWI

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Institut du Monde Arabe.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lipstadt, Helene (1989). "Review: Les Grands Projets "Paris 1979-1989" in New York". French Politics and Society. 6: 43 – via JSTOR.
  2. ↑ Fitchett, Joseph (1989). "Window on the Arab World". Saudi Aramco World. 40: 20–29 – via Web.
  3. 1 2 "Institut du Monde Arabe | Aga Khan Development Network". www.akdn.org. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  4. ↑ "Exhibitions". Institut du monde arabe. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
  5. ↑ Roth, Marco (October 2015). "Among the Believers". Harper's Magazine. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 48°50′56″N 2°21′23″E / 48.84889°N 2.35639°E / 48.84889; 2.35639

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