Conception

The project "Al-Andalus and Europe: Between Orient and Occident" is a Colloquium concerned with the Islamic art of the Iberian Peninsula. One of its chief purposes is to define the role of al-Andalus as centre and interface in the process of "Rezeption". This is expressed in the order of the papers and reflected in the titles of the divisions. Regarding European historical and cultural heritage as drawing not only on Christian but also on Islamo-Arabic traditions is a new intellectual approach. The Colloquium is thus aimed at a rethinking of both methodology and substance. The scope is extremely wide in terms of time and content. Western Islamic art in its various manifestations first arose from the Umayyad art of the Eastern Mediterranean, and is to be considered in connection with both the Iberian tradition of Late Antiquity and direct contact with Byzantium. The art and architecture of the Califate of Cordoba in the 10th century, as expressed in the residential town of Madinat az-Zahra and the extension of the mosque of Cordoba by al-Hakam II, constitutes the peak of that development. After the fall of the Califate, the courts of the newly-constituted party kingdoms - the so-called Taifas - tried to legitimate themselves by adopting the artistic standards of their predecessors; a good example in the field of architecture is the Aljafería of Zaragoza. Another substantial point of discussion will be whether the cultural supremacy of Cordoba influenced the art of contemporaneous northern Iberian kingdoms and of the subsequent Romanesque period, and how this emerged. A further point of interest in this context is the reception of Islamic decorative elements and the understanding of Islamic ornament in Romanesque art. The increasing influence of al-Andalus from the 12th century onward, even in North Africa, can be seen as a consequence of expanding Amoravid and Almohad power from North Africa on the Iberian Peninsula. In the first quarter of the 13th century, al-Andalus was conquered by the kingdom of Castile; only the Nasride kingdom of Granada was able to preserve its autonomy, as a tributary state, and endure for a further two centuries. The aesthetic of Granada, most brilliantly expressed in the art and architecture of the Alhambra, fascinated the court of Castile and acted as a powerful agent for its arts. Traces of this phenomenon, known to art history as mudejar, lasted into the 16th century. Granada's existence as an independent kingdom came to an end in 1492 with the conquest by the Catholic kings. The situation of the Muslims was worsened by forced conversions, and two waves of explusion, in the second half of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, put an end to 800 years of brilliant Islamic culture and rule.

In Germany as well as in other European countrys, the arts of al-Andalus as well as their relation to the Christian arts of the West remained largely unconsidered. Only in more recent years did the Iberian Peninsula gradually become the focus of different scientific interests thanks to the fundamental investigations of Prof. Dr. C. Ewert and the committed work of the Carl-Justi- Vereinigung. In order to make this work more efficient, intensive interdisciplinary efforts are required. Surmounting the sharp dividing line between the disciplines of archaeology and art history is the first requirement, and teamwork with historians and epigraphists would also be desirable. The Colloquium provides a framework of opportunity in which the first steps can be taken toward this goal by building up a scientific network.

On the other hand the international composition of the speakers creates the right kind of forum for discussions on the latent tendency to see European art history within the constraints of national states, on the encouragement of interdisciplinary approaches, and on historically interwoven connections. The interdisciplinary approach provides for many new perspectives and methods of interpretation. In all these ways the Colloquium and the work resulting from it will contribute directly to international collaboration, scholarship and teaching, and it will strengthen discussion of a fundamental issue which has yet to be considered in German universities.

Summary

The Colloquium focuses on the Islamic Art of the Iberian Peninsula. Al-Andalus is to be defined as a centre between East and North as a conduit in the process of "Rezeption" of the Christian Occident. Renowned scholars of international reputation will investigate this dynamic force mainly in the areas of History of Art and Archaeology. The Colloquium offers a forum for discussing new approaches of international research.