Beauty: The Splendor of Truth within the Islamic Art Tradition

Explore the multifaceted nature of Islamic art through the metaphysics of beauty with Spanish poet/philosopher, Professor Emilio Alzueta. This two-day workshop will focus on how the Islamic tradition integrates scripture, metaphysics, art, craft, mathematics, language, nature and spirituality. An introduction to the nature, meaning and manifestations of beauty in the Islamic tradition, not as a purely aesthetic concept, but also as a metaphysical reality which is then contemplated in the world and translated in art. A particular focus will be given to the Alhambra Palace of Granada as a sumation of the ideas presented in the seminar. The methodology will include lecturing, interaction and group work, as well as contemplation of material. Emilio (Emin) Alzueta is an independent scholar, lecturer, writer and poet, living in Granada, Spain. Enjoy his latest work here. Day 1 Session 1: 10 am - 12 pm Break for lunch Session 2: 1 pm - 3 pm Optional Islamic Geometry session with MathArtPlay: 4 pm - 6 pm (seperate registration link) Day 2 Session 1: 10 am - 12 pm Break for lunch Session 2: 1 pm - 3 pm Option Intro to Islamic Illumination with Behnaz Karjoo: 4 pm - 7 pm (separate reigstration link) Both days: $125 One day session: $70 The Reed Society for the Sacred Arts (RSSA) works with a global network of artists and musicians to nurture the cultural, intellectual, and spiritual wisdom woven into sacred art forms. The Reed Society's work serves not only as a platform for cultural preservation but also as a source of healing and reconnection for diverse populations, particularly diaspora communities, immigrants, and refugees seeking to engage with their heritage. In collaboration with leading artists and institutions, our organization curates a rich array of programs — including hands-on workshops, immersive retreats, musical performances, academic lectures, and exhibitions. The Reed Society’s work spans disciplines such as Arabic and Ottoman calligraphy, Islamic illumination (tazhib/tehzib), sacred geometry, and traditional music forms such as Qawwali and Sufi-inspired vocal traditions. The Reed Society has partnered with organizations such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, The Walters Art Museum, The Kennedy Center, and major universities including Harvard, George Washington University and Stanford. Keep the connection alive — Join our newsletter for upcoming Reed Society programs and events. About Emin Alzueta Emilio (Emin) Alzueta is an independent scholar, lecturer, writer and poet, living in Granada, Spain. Currently, he is also the resident scholar at Azahara Foundation. He served as the director of the School of Languages of Motril, (Granada), where he taught liberal arts, languages and humanities. A student of theology, sufism, and intellectual history with traditional teachers in Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Spain, he has a traditional 'ijaza in tasawwuf. He is a multifaceted lecturer in a variety of subjects, such as liberal arts, poetry, theology, metaphysics, Sufism, aesthetics, history and civilization of al-Andalus, and traditional psychology. For questions or to register, please contact: [email protected]