Inception Artist's Book by Islam Aly

$1,500.00

If placing an online order is not possible for your organization, please send a purchase order to aschiferl@mnbookarts.org and we will hold your items and follow up with an invoice. We request payment within 30 days of receipt.‍ ‍

"Inception is inspired by stories and journeys of the refugees. It is a bilingual codex in English and Arabic. The book is based on the twelfth-century Persian verse poem "The Conference of the Birds" written by Farid Aldin Al-Attar. The poem is about the search for truth and integrity, which is parallel to the refugee's quest to re-discover themselves.

Birds meet to begin searching for their perfect king. But to find him, they need to start a difficult journey. The birds show their doubts and fears to their lead, the hoopoe. He encouraged and supported the birds to be confident, grateful, and honest. The birds start a wondrous journey that only 30 of them completes, they eventually recognize that their king is each of them and all of them.

The English text is adapted from Afkham Darbandi translation. The Arabic text is adapted from Badee Mohamed Gomaa Arabic translation “Manteq Al Tayr”. The bird images represented are from medieval Islamic artwork. Arabic Calligraphy is done by Abdul Karim and Sabri.

Inception was made as part of Swarthmore College’s Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary project. Major support for Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage with additional support from Swarthmore College Libraries, the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, the William J. Cooper Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation." —Islam Aly

4.5" x 3.5"

Thirty sections with four folios.

2" x 0.75" miniature accordion books.

Materials: laser-cut Fabriano and tracing paper, plexiglass mirror, laser-engraved wooden boards. Coptic binding with leather wrappings connected to seven small books, Signed, numbered, and dated by the artist.

*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.

If placing an online order is not possible for your organization, please send a purchase order to aschiferl@mnbookarts.org and we will hold your items and follow up with an invoice. We request payment within 30 days of receipt.‍ ‍

"Inception is inspired by stories and journeys of the refugees. It is a bilingual codex in English and Arabic. The book is based on the twelfth-century Persian verse poem "The Conference of the Birds" written by Farid Aldin Al-Attar. The poem is about the search for truth and integrity, which is parallel to the refugee's quest to re-discover themselves.

Birds meet to begin searching for their perfect king. But to find him, they need to start a difficult journey. The birds show their doubts and fears to their lead, the hoopoe. He encouraged and supported the birds to be confident, grateful, and honest. The birds start a wondrous journey that only 30 of them completes, they eventually recognize that their king is each of them and all of them.

The English text is adapted from Afkham Darbandi translation. The Arabic text is adapted from Badee Mohamed Gomaa Arabic translation “Manteq Al Tayr”. The bird images represented are from medieval Islamic artwork. Arabic Calligraphy is done by Abdul Karim and Sabri.

Inception was made as part of Swarthmore College’s Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary project. Major support for Friends, Peace, and Sanctuary has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage with additional support from Swarthmore College Libraries, the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, the William J. Cooper Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation." —Islam Aly

4.5" x 3.5"

Thirty sections with four folios.

2" x 0.75" miniature accordion books.

Materials: laser-cut Fabriano and tracing paper, plexiglass mirror, laser-engraved wooden boards. Coptic binding with leather wrappings connected to seven small books, Signed, numbered, and dated by the artist.

*Consignment item. Not eligible for 10% membership discount. All consignment purchases are final and non-refundable once shipped.

Islam Aly (he/him) is currently a lecturer of Design in the College of Art Education at Helwan University. He graduated from the University of Iowa, with an MFA in Book Arts and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Art Education. At Helwan University, Egypt he received a BA and an MA in Art Education. His artists’ books explore the possibilities of historical bindings in contemporary book art practice. He has combined book traditions with digital technologies. His work is created at the junction between culture, technology, and aesthetics.
https://www.islamaly.com/ | Instagram: @IslamMAly