Practice Calligraphy (Siah Mashkh) c. 1850 - 1886

Editor: This is "Practice Calligraphy (Siah Mashkh)" attributed to Firuz Mirza Nusrat al-Dawla I. I'm struck by how the black ink swirls against the decorated background, like fluid motion frozen in place. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Notice how the calligraphic practice subverts traditional expectations by focusing on materiality. The emphasis shifts to the process, the ink, the paper, and even the hand of the calligrapher, making it less about textual content and more about the labor of creation. Consider the social context; how does the act of practicing elevate or challenge established notions of fine art versus craft? Editor: So, the material and act of creation are the message? Curator: Precisely. The focus is on the making, the practice, and the materials used, rather than solely on the resulting text's meaning. It makes you reconsider the value we assign to finished versus process-oriented art forms, doesn’t it? Editor: I see that now! Thanks for helping me reconsider calligraphy in this new light.