The Builders of the Alhambra
Kingdom of Granada, al-Andalus, 14th century. After recognizing that his land, always under siege, is hopelessly doomed to be conquered, Sultan Yusuf I undertakes the construction of a magnificent fortress with the purpose of turning it into the landmark of his civilization and his history, a glorious monument that will survive the oblivion of the coming centuries: the Alhambra.
Islamic Art at the Louvre - The Outstretched Hand
An exclusive tour of the new Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre. A fascinating journey to the heart of a culture that has constantly transcended borders. Some 18,000 pieces, more than a thousand years of history spanning a territory from Spain to India: beads, ceramic tiles, architectural elements, carpets, furniture, and a Mamluk porch. How to present this exceptional collection, a testament to a rich and complex civilization that spoke not only Arabic, but also Turkish, Farsi, and Hindi? A few months before its opening to the public on September 22, 2012, Richard Copans followed the creation of the Louvre's new, eighth department dedicated to Islamic art.
TAKRAR
An experimental short film that celebrates the timeless & intricate beauty of ancient craftsmanship. Filmed in Istanbul, dazzling psychedelic stop-motion editing brings the viewer on a mesmerizing journey into the past, paying homage to Islamic, Ottoman, Greek, & Byzantine art forms.