Islamic Calligraphy

A style of writing that has lasted through many centuries, calligraphy is graceful and elegant. Whereas we often associate money with wealth, calligraphy in Islamic culture is a sign of elevated social status. At the Asia Society Museum, one is able to delve into the lives of calligraphers and the intricate materials they used in the production of calligraphy. The interpretations behind the certain passages of the Quran that are written in calligraphy add to the elegance of it for it is certainly not a form of art that belongs to the lower class since it requires time, education, effort, and the luxury of ample leisure time to produce; the elegant appearance that surrounds calligraphy here is enough to make the calligraphers feel superior and separated from the rest of the general population. It is like looking at hieroglyphics and the similarity between the two is that they appear to be gibberish to the ordinary person since both art forms are more visual than textual, but calligraphy holds a deeper meaning because it is found in the holiest book that serves as the fundamental core of the Islamic religion. If Islamic calligraphy represents the upper social class, how does the culture anticipate reaching out to the less fortunate who do not have the opportunities and resources available to understand this convoluted art form?