- Title: Iraqi artist draws inspiration from traditional architecture
- Date: 11th October 2016
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (RECENT, 2016) (REUTERS) DIORAMA ARTIST, AMMAR AL-AZZAWI, WORKING ON HIS MINIATURE MODEL VARIOUS OF AZZAWI WORKING IN FRONT OF MINIATURE MODEL MINIATURE MODEL OF OLD BAGHDAD ARCHITECTURE STYLE SHANASHEEL MODEL SHOWING DETAIL IN WINDOWS MODEL / DETAIL OF BRICKS AND DOORS AND WINDOWS MODEL / DETAIL OF SHOP WITH DAMAGED SHUTTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIORAMA ARTIST, AMAR AL-AZZAWI, SAYING: "I used to have a hobby of collecting miniature models of cars and bicycles. As a member of a group, to exhibit these models, you have to create a real scene and post on the page of the group. Therefore, I started to think of making something new and I thought of making the Shanasheel with all its things in a way that makes it look more like the real scene and hence I started. But I faced difficulties in the beginning as I had little information." VARIOUS OF AZZAWI WORKING IN HIS WORKSHOP MINIATURE MODELS OF OLD-STYLE BAGHDADI BENCH/ BIRD CAGE MADE OF PALM LEAVES / WATER PIPE AND LANTERN VARIOUS OF MINIATURE MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIORAMA ARTIST, AMMAR AL-AZZAWI, SAYING: "It is a diorama artwork. The art is popular in most of the Asian and foreign countries where all the requirements and materials are available. Here in Iraq, all we have are materials used by engineering students to do sketch models, or macquettes and these too are very limited to their needs. Therefore, you have to work hard and rely on your own capability if you want to do miniature models representing real things. It is an international work that needs time, ability and a broad imagination and a lot of effort as a small-sized model can take up to two days to finish." AZZAWI WORKING MINIATURE MODEL OF BICYCLE MODEL OF CLAY POT USED TO COOL WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIORAMA ARTIST, AMAR AL-AZZAWI, SAYING: "Baghdadi Shanasheel diorama work has spiritual benefits and it deepens patience. I am a person who is in a hurry. I love to finish things quickly, however, I have been working for five months and I have not finished yet. It also boosts your confidence. I have never done such work before; but when I start working, I always get the result I want, thank God." TOOLS USED BY AZZAWI RULERS AND PENCILS USED BY AZZAWI AZZAWI WORKING SHANASHEEL ARTWORK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIORAMA ARTIST, AMAR AL-AZZAWI, SAYING: "This work went viral on social media websites and I've become popular, thank God. It gives me a chance to start courses and train students and I also received invitations to take part in a number of exhibitions, but I could not because the work is still unfinished. When people see the work, they think that is complete, but for me it lacks many things. I still have many ideas to add to it and when I finish, only then I will be able to take part (in exhibition). " VARIOUS OF SHANASHEEL DIORAMA WORK
- Embargoed: 26th October 2016 12:09
- Keywords: Shanasheel art work Baghdad sculptor diorama
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Art,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA00153K63PX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Iraqi artist Amar al-Azzawi used to collect models of cars and bicycles when he was a boy. The hobby inspired Azzawi to create a diorama to place the objects.
Now, he is working on an ambitious project of making a miniature model of old Baghdad, featuring traditional architectural design known as Shanasheel.
Oriel windows with intricate, carved wood lattice work are the main feature of Shanasheel.
"I used to have a hobby of collecting miniature models of cars and bicycles. As a member of a group, to exhibit these models, you have to create a real scene and post on the page of the group. Therefore, I started to think of making something new and I thought of making the Shanasheel with all its things in a way that makes it look more like the real scene," Azzawi said.
Azzawi says he found it challenging to make diorama models at first.
"The art is popular in most of the Asian and foreign countries where all the requirements and materials are available. Here in Iraq, all we have are materials used by engineering students to do sketch models, or macquettes and these too are very limited to their needs. Therefore, you have to work hard and rely on your own capability if you want to do miniature models representing real things."
Starting from scratch, Azzawi tried his hands at simple models first, before starting on his current work.
The 100 x 50 cm three-dimensional miniature model features a traditional building, with all the objects and furniture which were used during the time.
Since starting the project five months ago, Azzawi said he has learnt several things.
"Baghdadi Shanasheel diorama work has spiritual benefits and it deepens patience. I am a person who is in a hurry. I love to finish things quickly, however, I have been working for five months and I have not finished yet. It also boosts your confidence. I have never done such work before; but when I start working, I always get the result I want," he said.
Azzawi hopes to take part in exhibitions when he finishes the model.
"This work went viral on social media websites and I've become popular. It gives me a chance to start courses and train students and I also received invitations to take part in a number of exhibitions, but I could not because the work is still unfinished."
Azzawi expects to finish the model in less than a month, and hopes to make miniature models of Iraqi traditional folkloric handicrafts or scenes from Iraq's rural areas. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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