TEHRAN-The group exhibition of mirror work and Kufic writing titled “From the Heart of Light” is underway at Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran.

Curated by calligrapher Homayoun Moghaddas and mirror work artist Siavash Tarzi, the event is organized by the Art Bureau, Mehr reported.

There are 88 mirror works by 46 artists and 75 Kufic writing pieces by 26 artists showcased at the event that will run through December 14.

Mirror work is the art of creating regular forms by using small or large pieces of mirror mosaics, and is used as a decoration in internal architectural spaces. Mirror works not only enhance decorations of architectures, but also illuminates the space by multiplying the reflection of the light.

The Kufic script is a style of Arabic script that gained prominence early on as a preferred script for Quran transcription and architectural decoration, and it has since become a reference and an archetype for a number of other Arabic scripts. It developed from the Arabic alphabet in the city of Kufa, from which its name is derived.

The Kufic script plays an important role in the development of Islamic calligraphy. In fact, it is the first style of Islamic period writings in which the manifestation of art, delicacy and beauty are explicitly evident. It is characterized by angular, rectilinear letterforms and its horizontal orientation. The artistic styling of Kufic led to its use in a non-Arabic context in Europe, as decoration on architecture, known as pseudo-Kufic.

The event seeks to promote traditional arts of mirror work and Kufic writing to be used in the modern architecture and the living space.

Launched on December 8, the exhibition will continue showing the artworks through December 14 at Niavaran Cultural Center in north of Tehran.

SS/SAB