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Numbers and geometry come to the fore in this piece, where the numerical quality of the Arabic characters is remembered. The basic idea is simple: replacing the dots on the faces of a dice with the first six letters: و ه د ج ب ا. I developed each letter into a Square Kufi pattern, all six of them being strictly harmonized, then assigned a different colour to each letter, so that the humble dice is elevated to a whole new degree of visual interest and dynamic interaction of shapes. But the basic structure of the object is respected: the letters that add up to 7 are placed opposite each other. Like a proper dice, the piece has no bottom and can be turned on any side. Because each face is assigned a different colour, each angle of view offers a different colour palette, and the piece can be repositioned at will on the base. The base, a piece of art in its own right, takes the concept of number further, into the realm of geometry, which is "number unfolding in space." The three ribs supporting the dice are the visible parts of the virtual sphere which encompasses the cubr. The projection of a sphere on a flat plane is, of course, a circle, while that of a cube is, perhaps more surprisingly, a hexagon: this projection is given tangible form in the base, where a hexagon is carved out of a circle. Thus all parts of the piece are in relationship to one another, with Arabic letters and geometric shapes brought together by Number. (Big thanks to Josh Cranswick, craftsman and wood sculptor, with whose help the base was designed, and who fashioned it to perfection) Dice: Acrylic on wood, laser-cut, hand-assembled, painted and varnished. 36x36 cm. Base: Solid walnut, steam-bent and hand-carved. Total size approx. 51x57 cm
Numbers and geometry come to the fore in this piece, where the numerical quality of the Arabic characters is remembered. The basic idea is simple: replacing the dots on the faces of a dice with the first six letters: و ه د ج ب ا. I developed each letter into a Square Kufi pattern, all six of them being strictly harmonized, then assigned a different colour to each letter, so that the humble dice is elevated to a whole new degree of visual interest and dynamic interaction of shapes. But the basic structure of the object is respected: the letters that add up to 7 are placed opposite each other. Like a proper dice, the piece has no bottom and can be turned on any side. Because each face is assigned a different colour, each angle of view offers a different colour palette, and the piece can be repositioned at will on the base. The base, a piece of art in its own right, takes the concept of number further, into the realm of geometry, which is "number unfolding in space." The three ribs supporting the dice are the visible parts of the virtual sphere which encompasses the cubr. The projection of a sphere on a flat plane is, of course, a circle, while that of a cube is, perhaps more surprisingly, a hexagon: this projection is given tangible form in the base, where a hexagon is carved out of a circle. Thus all parts of the piece are in relationship to one another, with Arabic letters and geometric shapes brought together by Number. (Big thanks to Josh Cranswick, craftsman and wood sculptor, with whose help the base was designed, and who fashioned it to perfection) Dice: Acrylic on wood, laser-cut, hand-assembled, painted and varnished. 36x36 cm. Base: Solid walnut, steam-bent and hand-carved. Total size approx. 51x57 cm
Numbers and geometry come to the fore in this piece, where the numerical quality of the Arabic characters is remembered. The basic idea is simple: replacing the dots on the faces of a dice with the first six letters: و ه د ج ب ا. I developed each letter into a Square Kufi pattern, all six of them being strictly harmonized, then assigned a different colour to each letter, so that the humble dice is elevated to a whole new degree of visual interest and dynamic interaction of shapes. But the basic structure of the object is respected: the letters that add up to 7 are placed opposite each other. Like a proper dice, the piece has no bottom and can be turned on any side. Because each face is assigned a different colour, each angle of view offers a different colour palette, and the piece can be repositioned at will on the base. The base, a piece of art in its own right, takes the concept of number further, into the realm of geometry, which is "number unfolding in space." The three ribs supporting the dice are the visible parts of the virtual sphere which encompasses the cubr. The projection of a sphere on a flat plane is, of course, a circle, while that of a cube is, perhaps more surprisingly, a hexagon: this projection is given tangible form in the base, where a hexagon is carved out of a circle. Thus all parts of the piece are in relationship to one another, with Arabic letters and geometric shapes brought together by Number. (Big thanks to Josh Cranswick, craftsman and wood sculptor, with whose help the base was designed, and who fashioned it to perfection) Dice: Acrylic on wood, laser-cut, hand-assembled, painted and varnished. 36x36 cm. Base: Solid walnut, steam-bent and hand-carved. Total size approx. 51x57 cm
Views of the different sides, and of the base.

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Dice Sculpture

Joumana Medlej

United Kingdom

Sculpture, Acrylic on Wood

Size: 20.1 W x 22.4 H x 20.1 D in

Ships in a Box

SOLD
Originally listed for $5,460

249 Views

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Numbers and geometry come to the fore in this piece, where the numerical quality of the Arabic characters is remembered. The basic idea is simple: replacing the dots on the faces of a dice with the first six letters: و ه د ج ب ا. I developed each letter into a Square Kufi pattern, all six of them be...

Year Created:

2015

Subject:

Calligraphy

Styles:

Conceptual

, 

Abstract

 

Mediums:

Acrylic

, 

Varnish

, 

Wood

 

Medium:

Sculpture, Acrylic on Wood

Rarity:

One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:

20.1 W x 22.4 H x 20.1 D in

Ready to Hang:

Not Applicable

Frame:

Not Framed

Authenticity:

Certificate is Included

Packaging:

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Shipping is included in price.

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Ships in a box. Artists are responsible for packaging and adhering to Saatchi Art’s packaging guidelines.

Ships From:

United Kingdom.

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I'm a British-Lebanese artist who moved from Beirut to East London about a decade ago. I'm best known for reviving archaic styles of Arabic calligraphy (the Kufi scripts) and the medieval art materials that accompany them. My work reflects my experience of the world as being alive with mystery. It invites the viewer to step into this forgotten space by holding them in wonder and stillness: in this vulnerable moment, when one is silenced by beauty and by not-knowing, remembrance can stir. To this end, the work takes on different shapes, from images of contemplation made up of unreadable words to multisensory interactive objects that tell an unspoken story.

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