SDMA Debuts Groundbreaking Exhibition on the Intersections of Islamic Art & Science

The latest exhibition at The San Diego Museum of Art is a super interesting one: “Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World.”

Centuries of Wonder in One Place

Imagine over 200 jaw-dropping pieces spanning 13 centuries, from ancient manuscripts to cutting-edge contemporary art. We’re talking fancy textiles, shiny ceramics, star maps, and talismans. It’s like stepping into a time machine decked out by the coolest artists and scientists from the Islamic world.

The mastermind behind this spectacle? Dr. Ladan Akbarnia, SDMA’s very own South Asian and Islamic Art guru. She’s assembled an incredible array of treasures from over 30 lenders, including some never-before-seen-in-the-US pieces from the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.

Hands-On History and Contemporary Creations

The exhibition features brand-new works by contemporary artists Ala Ebtekar and Hayv Kahraman. For all you hands-on types, you’ll get a chance to examine Mamluk joinery samples and 17th-century Persian astrolabe replicas up close.

The exhibition draws inspiration from a 13th-century text that’s essentially the Islamic world’s version of an ancient encyclopedia—minus the dusty pages and plus a whole lot of divine wonder.

It’s all about opening your eyes to the marvels around us and appreciating the incredible skills of artists and craftspeople across the centuries.

See you there!

Circle September 7, 2024, through January 5, 2025, on your calendar for the “Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World” exhibition. Just a heads up, there’s a small extra charge for non-members.

For more info, visit the website here and follow along on Instagram, X, and Facebook for updates.

See you there, San Diego!