"The quest for light is the quest for understanding." Shihab al-Din al-Suhrawardi

Illuminations

In the series 'Illuminations,' I aim to reflect on a conversation that has spanned centuries. This work draws from the study of early Abbasid astrological theories, particularly the significance attributed to the Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions and their role in shaping terrestrial events. And seminal texts and illustrations of the Islamic Golden Age: Al-Biruni's 'Kitab al-Qanun al-Mas'udi' informs its astronomical precision, Ibn al-Haytham's 'Book of Optics' shapes its insights into light and perception, Al-Farabi's 'Al-Madina Al-Fadila' provides a vision of social harmony, and Al-Khwarizmi's 'Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala' lends mathematical discipline. These venerable sources give life to my digital installations. Imaginary silk lines bend our perceptions, as real-time astronomical data transforms static Islamic geometric patterns into dynamic sequences.

While maintaining the classic folds and formulas, I introduce layers of new vibrations, and imagery. The aim is to echo both celestial movements and ancient cosmological principles. Through my sketches, I explore the universe's divinity and interconnectedness, employing mathematical and physical principles to illustrate angles and geometric folds that symbolize these cosmic qualities.

While the series may appear as an exploration of the heavens, it is equally a reflection on our earthly lives and interconnectedness. It poses the question: could our social complexities serve as a terrestrial mirror to our age-old celestial pursuits? are we each our own unobserved universe? This inquiry is akin to ancient philosophies and spiritual traditions like Sufism, which posit that the self and the cosmos are inseparably connected. Thinkers like Rumi have eloquently explored this symbiosis between individual and universe.

The question also aligns with existentialist thought, suggesting that our unique, subjective experiences might make us inherently unobservable universes unto ourselves. It's as if each person embodies an enigmatic realm influenced by their observations and experiences, while remaining fundamentally unknowable to others.

Even quantum mechanics lends credence to this thought, reminding us that particles are in a state of probability until observed. This principle magnifies the inquiry, implying that our very act of observation becomes a defining aspect of our personal universe. So, as 'Illuminations' navigates between celestial wonders and earthly intricacies, it also underlines the importance of our role as observers or witnesses. Our acts of witnessing or observation don't just document what is out there; they may very well define what exists in our own subjective universes.