The first museum dedicated to Sufi art and culture has announced its opening near Paris.
The Musée d’Art et de Culture Soufis MTOTM (MACS MTOTM), will open its doors to the public on 28 September in a 19th-century mansion in the Paris suburb of Chatou, opposite the historic Île des Impressionnistes.
The development of the museum and its design were planned by French scenographers Atelier Maciej Fiszer and architects Ducatillion Gimel. In addition to the permanent collection housed in the main building, the museum will have a garden for individual meditation as well as group events.
Sufism is at the core of MACS MTOTM and the museum seeks to build a bridge between established Sufi principals since the seventh century and contemporary art and culture. Thus, in addition to displaying a permanent collection which dates primarily from the 19th century to today, including objects, sculptures, music, textiles, calligraphy, manuscripts, and ceramic and mirror mosaics which hold spiritual and symbolic value, an inaugural exhibition will exhibit contemporary works from artists whose hold an affinity to Sufism in their values and the essence of their work.
Un Ciel intérieur (An inner Sky): The Inaugural exhibition of the Musée d’Art et de Culture Soufis MTO will showcase the work of seven international contemporary artists: Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Seffa Klein, Bianca Bondi, Younes Rahmoun, Pinaree Sanpitak, Troy Makaza, and Chloé Quenum. With a number of the works commissioned for the exhibition, the artists will continue to look to their inner world, and highlight the persistence of this key aspect of Sufism, which defies borders and generations.
Alexandra Baudelot, Director of Musée d’Art et de Culture Soufis MTO and curator of Un Ciel intérieur, said: “The Museum creates space for dialogue between audiences and artists, for people of all faiths and none. Through the growth of our collection, diverse programmes, and collaborations with contemporary artists and multidisciplinary thinkers, we look forward to developing a wider understanding and engagement with the rich cultural expressions of Sufism through discovery, culture, and scientific research.”
