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Award-Winning "The Bird from Paradise" Sculpture Showcases Revitalized Muqarnas and Traditional Iranian Wood Arts

Mohamad ali Vadood, a renowned Iranian artist, has introduced "The Bird from Paradise," a unique wooden sculpture that pays homage to ancient artistic traditions while pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship. Inspired by the story of Abraham and the resurrection of birds, Vadood assembled this piece using seven distinct Iranian arts-sculpting, Muqarnas, marquetry, Munabat, wood turning, and more-alongside a variety of natural woods and Persian Gulf seashells. The sculpture, which takes the form of a peacock, was designed to demonstrate how art can breathe new life into materials and techniques at risk of fading into obscurity.

A central feature of the sculpture is its innovative use of Muqarnas, a decorative art traditionally reserved for architectural ornamentation. Recognizing the limitations and declining practice of Muqarnas due to its repetitive geometric forms, Vadood developed a novel method he calls "Leveling Muqarnas." This approach layers Muqarnas elements in varying thicknesses, allowing for more dynamic, asymmetrical, and organic designs. The lower body of the sculpture utilizes this new method, while the crown employs the traditional technique, offering a direct comparison and highlighting the versatility of Muqarnas when freed from its conventional constraints.

"The Bird from Paradise" stands out for its commitment to authenticity, using only the natural colors of various woods such as Jujube, Haloxylon, boxwood, Robinia, and rosewood. The eyes are crafted from a single Persian Gulf seashell, with the pupils formed by natural shell sediments. The piece is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Vadood and his team, including Ms. Shadi Habib, and reflects a deep respect for Iran's artistic heritage. Its recognition with the Bronze A' Design Award underscores its contribution to the preservation and evolution of cultural arts, offering a new path forward for endangered techniques like Muqarnas.

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