Floating Invocations

  Bismillah One    Photo R Allen-Sherwood   2013   

I recently came across a set of Arabic calligraphy (some would say graffiti) meticulously scrawled across a reflective windowpane by an urban canal. I stopped and studied them for quite some time before taking some photos. Later I showed them to my neighbourhood calligraphy expert (the kebab man) and was told the words are from the phrase:

"Bismillahi al r-rahmani al r-rahim"

which translates roughly to mean "In harmony with Divine Presence". Or, "As an instrument of the One". The central idea here is that whatever we do, every step that we take, every breath that we breathe, is done for, because of, and through the essence of, the One who has created us. (info courtesy of wahiduddin.net)

Bishmillah Two       Photo R Allen-Sherwood   2013

What initially drew me to the calligraphy was the vibrating quality of the lines. Although written in great haste (to avoid arrest!) these lines appear to flow fluidly and move continuously in a circular motion. And because of the reflective glass, the images appear to hover in mid-air, giving an illusion of three dimensional sculpture floating in space! 

It's accidentally coming across (rare) treasures like this, which inspire and feed my own passion for all things to do with space. More please.