|
 
    
|
Fanar sets Guinness record with Ebro art
By Huda NV
DOHA: After successful attempts with longest bus parade, the largest bowl of pasta and the longest line of sandwiches, an ancient art has again placed Qatar in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Hundreds at the Fanar Expo at the Doha Exhibition Center yesterday witnessed the record establishing fete for the biggest ever paper marbling by famous Turkish Ebro artist Ahmet Ali Cocktan.
Paper marbling or Ebro is an ancient art of drawing on water using specialist, which can produce patterns similar to marble or other stone, hence the name. The patterns are the result of colour floated on plain water and then carefully transferred to a sheet of paper. It had spread through the Muslim World and has now almost vanished, except for few in Turkey. This decorative material has been used to cover a variety of surfaces for several centuries.
This is the first time that any attempts have been made using the ancient art. Many gathered at the exhibition centre where a long tray of water was laid. Cocktan spattered colours made using natural ingredients on to the water while people waited eagerly. Once the colours were laid down, various tools like combs, straws, brushes were used in series of movements to create intricate patterns one changing in to another with each stroke. Then a thick paper was gently laid onto the floating colours which are thereby transferred to the paper. After few moments, the paper was lifted out of the water, revealing fascinating blue patterns with flowers.
The end result can never be recreated in the same way and hence each work is unique. The work with dimensions of 11x1.5 meters won the Guinness record.
“This is a happy moment for me as a record has been established and Ebro will now become known to the world,” Cocktan told the Peninsula. “For months I have been thinking how the end product should look like. The blue colour and the flowers on the abstract work depict the nature around us- the sky, oceans and the flora- which is all a creation of the Almighty.”
“Ebro is an Islamic art that existed among Turks, Persians and in the neighbouring region. We want to convey a message to the people that Islam culture is not about worship alone. It is more diverse than that; it is a way of living,” said Mohammed Ali Al Ghamdi, Director General of Fanar.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, a record village has been put up where visitors can participate in records breaking competitions.
Meanwhile, visitors thronged to see the replica of the Holy Ka’aba which has been put up. Many including Muslims were dazed seeing the interior of the structure which has been copied to minute detail.
At least seven people including women converted to Islam at the event according to sources.
http://www.pen.com.qa/news/qatar/detail.php?ID=9013 |
|
