Paris – On the banks of the Seine, close to Notre Dame Cathedral and in front of Pont de Sully, is the Arab World Institute (IMA). The imposing and modern building is prominent amidst the historic constructions of Paris. Designed by the award winning Jean Nouvel, the building follows the curve of the river on its Northern façade, fully mirrored, reflecting the spectacular landscape of the City of Lights.
The symbol of a partnership between France and the 22 Arab nations, the cultural institute was inaugurated in 1987 aimed at promoting the relations of the East and West and it is an impressive sight to see. When looking at the building, right in front of you, you can understand why the architect became internationally renowned after designing the IMA.
The southern façade, rectangular, is decorated with several diaphragms inspired on mashrabyia – which is a wooden latticework whose objective is to filter sunlight, allow a view of the street and also promote privacy from those outside the building. In the IMA building, Nouvel designed a sophisticated system to filter light using metallic diaphragms similar to those of cameras, which open according to the external lighting conditions. The effect is really surprising and brings together the tradition of Arab architecture with modern technology and materials.
The internal lifts also call attention as they seem more like glass boxes allowing a panoramic view from all floors of the building. The IMA houses a museum, library, document centre, restaurant, classrooms and space for dance, cinema and theatre presentations, as well as exhibitions.
The museum has items from practically all the Arab countries. The most prominent are works of art, millenary papyruses, tapestries, white marble statues, ceramics, jewels, safes and the famous astrolabes – instruments used to measure the height objects are from the horizon, used for astrological and astronomical purposes. The nautical astrolabe, for example, helped sailors locate themselves at sea.
On observing the details and use of each object, it is possible to travel in time and space and learn a little about the history of the Arabs. The library has over 65,000 books published in French, Arabic, English, German, Spanish and Italian. Those who prefer to make their discoveries through images and music may visit the audio-visual centre which also offers a varied and interesting collection.
The IMA is currently a reference in Europe due to its collection of works of art and antiquities and is also famous for photography exhibitions like “Images and landscapes of the Arab World”, which has even already come to Brazil. In November 2008, the exhibition – with photographs that show people from places in the Arab nations – spent two months at Caixa Cultural space, in São Paulo. The initiative was by the Arab Cultural Institute (Icarabe), with the support of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce sponsored by the Federal Savings Bank.
Learn more about the events promoted by the IMA visiting site www.imarabe.org. If you travel to Paris, reserve some time to visit the space whose building is also a beautiful work of art.
The architect
Jean Nouvel was born in Fumel, a city in Southeastern France, in 1945. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, in Paris, during the student revolutions of 1968 and covered post-modern tendencies of the 1970s. His work started gaining prominence in 1981, but international recognition came after the IMA project. In 2008, Nouvel received the Pritzker award, also called the “Nobel of Architecture”, as it is the most prestigious award in the world of architecture.
Contact
Arab World Institute
E-mail: rap@imarabe.org
Address: 1, Rue des Fossés – Saint Bernard
Place Mohammed V
*Translated by Mark Ament
