Statera, Mizan by Islam Aly
"’Statera’ explores the rhombic dot system behind the Thuluth script. An Arabic, elegant, cursive writing that is used on architectural monuments and manuscripts. In Arabic, this system is called ‘Mizan Al Horof’ (balance of letters). ‘Statera’ shows each letter's specific structure, which is built of a significant rule: the number of dots. The 28 letters are printed in Thuluth script with vibrant red color, over regular handwritten text by ordinary people. Different styles, signatures, seals, notes, and markings from legal ledger paper contrast with the Thuluth script rules. This contrast reveals an engaging perspective hidden between the balanced letters and aged documents. The fourteen rhombus pieces of camel bone are engraved with a letter on each side, echoing the book's interior." - Islam Aly
Processes, Dimensions, and Edition Information
Cairo, Egypt: Islam Aly, 2020. Edition of 30 variants + 5 AP.
Closed: 3.5 x 3.5 x 2.75. Materials: legal ledger paper from the late 1800s and 1900s, museum board, wood boards, book cloth, leather straps. Hand-printed Arabic letters from magnesium plates. Bound in laser-engraved wooden boards, book cloth spine and stiff-leaf binding with leather wrappings connected to laser engraved camel bone pieces. Signed, numbered, and dated by the artist.