Timthal Baghdad ('Baghdad's Statue') is a public monument in Baghdad, created by the sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (1929–2011) and inaugurated in 2013. It is a tall column with a woman dressed in Abbasid costume sitting on the top. The column is inscribed with Arabic letters, taken from a famous Arabic poem by the eminent poet Mustafa Jamal al-Din. The statue is intended to glorify both the city and its ancient heritage.
Background
In 2010, the Mayor of Baghdad commissioned the sculptor, Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, to complete a series of four monuments as part of a Baghdad Culture program. The artist began work on four new sculptures to be erected in various locations around Baghdad. However, this would be his final project, for the sculptor died before it was completed. Ghani's son oversaw the completion of the project.Floyd, T., "Mohammed Ghani Hikmat," [Biographical Notes], Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online: All four works blended Iraqi tradition with modern techniques and materials.
The first to be completed was Al Fanous El Sehri ('Magic Lantern'), inaugurated in 2011. The remaining three works, Ashaar Baghdad ('Baghdad's Poetry', a fountain featuring Arabic script), Timthal Baghdad ('Baghdad's Statue', a column featuring the city as a beautiful girl wearing traditional Abbasid costume),Arraf, J., "Renowned Iraqi sculptor has vision for Baghdad to 'flower again'," CS Monitor, 16 February, 2011; Online: and Enkath El Iraq ('Saving Iraq's Culture', a Sumerian cylindrical seal in the hands of an Iraqi citizen) were all inaugurated in 2013.Dawood, M., "Mohamed Ghani Hikmat brings life back to the squares of Baghdad Months after the Departure of the "Sheikh of the Sculptors," Alrai Media, January, 2012, Online: (translated from Arabic)
Mohammed Ghani Hikmat was known for his public works, now on display throughout Baghdad's urban spaces, and also for smaller statues carved in wood, depicting the everyday life of Baghdad's people.Floyd, T., "Mohammed Ghani Hikmat," [Biographical Notes], Mathaf Encyclopedia of Modern Art and the Arab World, Online: His most well-known works include a pair of statues of Queen Scheherazade and King Shahryar, located on the banks of the Tigris River, near Abu Nuwas StreetSchmidt, M. S., "Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, Iraqi Sculptor, Dies at 82", New York Times, 21 September, 2011 Online: and the Fountain of Kahramana in Baghdad's central business district.Antoon, S., "Living With Death in Baghdad", New York Times, 20 July, 2016 Online: The choice of location for his works was important to Ghani, who wanted the sculptures to be accessible to all. He avoided public squares and gardens, and instead wanted his works to be situated in the streets and on the sides of buildings.Jairath. S., "Baghdad will Remain Baghdad" Mohammed Ghani and his Tales of One Thousand and One Nights", Meanjin Vol. 74, Issue 3, 2015
Description
The first of the three sculptures inaugurated in 2013 was Timthal Baghdad ('Baghdad’s Statue')."Official Inauguration of Three Sculptures in Iraq Baghdad," Alsamuria News, 13 February, 2013 Online: It is a column featuring a lady sitting on a chair wearing Abbasid traditional clothes and is located in Andalusia square (Al Andalus). The overall height of the column is 13.5 metres (10.5 metre base and 3 metres for the figure), making it one of the tallest monuments in the city centre.
The column features Arabic calligraphy along its length, specifically poetry by Mustafa Jamal al-Din glorifying the city of Baghdad. The verse reads in part:
The figure of the Abbasid woman is reclining, with her back to the sun, so that she is looking towards the horizon in front of her. The woman is intended to signify that the country's ancestors were from the East. This reference is another reference objectively tied to the base of the monument."Statue of Baghdad by sculptor Mohamed Ghani Hikmat" Ministry of Culture [Government of Iraq], 2013, Online:
Specifications Monument name: Timthal Baghdad ('Baghdad's Statue') Monument type: ColumnJairath. S., "Baghdad will Remain Baghdad" Mohammed Ghani and his Tales of One Thousand and One Nights", Meanjin Vol. 74, Issue 3, 2015 Materials: Stone and bronze Height: 3m plus 10.5m base (Total= 13.5 m) Location: Andalus Square, Baghdad Date constructed: 2010–2013 Official inauguration: 2013 "Official Inauguration of Three Sculptures in Iraq Baghdad," Alsamuria News, 13 February, 2013 "Official Inauguration of Three Sculptures in Iraq Baghdad," Alsamuria News, 13 February, 2013 Online: (pictured) Designer and builder: Mohammed Ghani Hikmat
See also
Iraqi art Hurufiyya movement
References