'Hand of Fatima' hamsa amulets go on display

Описание: (23 May 2018) LEADIN:
A new exhibition in Jerusalem is giving a contemporary flavour to an ancient design.
The traditional Muslim and Jewish Hamsa symbol has been re-interpreted by different artists.
STORYLINE:
A centuries-old symbol - but not as you've seen it before.
The hand-shaped Hamsa has become one of the most renowned motifs in both Muslim and Jewish cultures.
It is now being celebrated with this exhibition at the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem.
The title of the collection is "Khamsa Khamsa Khamsa", using an alternative spelling to reflect the pronunciation of the word in Arabic.
Over the years, it has turned from a traditional object with mystical properties to an iconic symbol.
For Muslims, it has many meanings including a representation of the five pillars of the Islamic religion.
For both religions, it is often used as protection against evil.
"Hamsa is known throughout history as a symbol to keep danger away from people. Hamsa is the hand of Fatima; the prophet's daughter," explains Nadim Sheiban, the Director of the Museum of Islamic Art.
"The legend says that the Prophet's daughter put her hand inside hot things without getting hurt, and that was a miracle, meaning how Fatima's hand protected her from fire and getting burnt. We also found that throughout history different nations used the Eye or Hamsa to keep danger and evil away from human beings, it's kind of a protection."
The hamsa has also become a commercial product, given as a gift to symbolise good fortune and a protector against the eye.
In this exhibition, over 555 different hamsas will go on display to the public.
Some 50 artists and designers have been commissioned by the museum to showcase their own contemporary rendition.
Anat Golan is one of the artists taking part.
"As a designer, or an artist, it was a great challenge to take such a known platform and to make it new, something that is for these days and relevant," she says.
Her piece uses a doll's eye in the middle of the hamsa symbol, she explains her choice of materials:
"Because this is a doll's eye, it shuts down when it's lying (down), and it opens up when you wear it, so in a way it's kind of an on and off mechanism, very simple, but that makes the wearer have some kind of...like a small ceremony - when it's being worn, the piece is starting to work and the evil eye is being demolished."
Along with Golan's jewellery-like piece, the exhibition also includes video pieces and traditional hamsa amulets.
The exhibition will be open to the public until 24 November 2018.

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