The Elements of Nature are fourfold, Wind/Air, Water, Earth & Fire. Without these, the world could not function in the perfect and orderly fashion that it does. The wind raises the clouds to form the rain, that nurtures the earth to grow vegetation, fruits and flowers, and the wood that kindles the fire. Aisha is concerned of man creating divisions for himself wherever he places himself in this world. To represent this, she observed various architectural forms, and came to a realisation that architecture creates division of space and structure, thus, this being the source of her inspiration for the series of work titled Elements of Nature. Aisha also discovered that the Quran mentions in various verses the functions of the Four Elements.
Introduction to Elements of Nature The Four ElementsAisha Cahn Foundation
THE FOUR ELEMENTS
Man cannot survive without the perfect harmony of the Four Elements of Nature
CIRCLE OF NATURE
God's process of nature, where each element functions in an orderly sequence, to enable the existence of mankind
DIVISIONS OF LIFE
Indeed God is with those who are patient
FRUITS & FLOWERS
Fruit is the end stage of reproduction of the superior plants. The preceding stage is the flower.
WIND / AIR
"Allah, who sends the winds and they raise the clouds to form the rain" Quran 30:47
WATER
"See ye the water that ye drink" Quran 56:68
ELEMENTS OF NATURE
Verses from the Quran explaining the functions of the Elements of Nature
LIFE AFTER DEATH
"Allah sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it has died" Quran 30:24
SEE YE THE FIRE THAT YE KINDLE
INSTALLATION OF THE 99 NAMES OF ALLAH
These 99 canvasses had to be installed on all four walls of the Albemarle Gallery, so when the viewers are in this space, they can resonate with the attributes of God, as they all have the spirit of God in them
99 NAMES OF ALLAH
The names / attributes of Allah are connected with the 'Life of Man'. Some of these attributes are fundamental characteristics of every human being, but for God these attributes form His Entirety.
ALLAH, THE CREATOR OF THE HEAVENS & THE EARTH
He is Allah, the One and Only, He is the Absolute, The Eternal, He begets not, nor was He begotten, There is none comparable unto Him
UNITY
If man created no divisions of hatred in this world, the world would be a much brighter and united place to live in
Credits to;
HSBC, for sponsoring the exhibition titled Elements of Nature
Albemarle Gallery, for hosting the show
Tony Pontone, Curator
Chang Ryu, Photographer
Mayfair Times