The Art of Mongolian Calligraphy:
Old Tradition Revived
The beauty of written script is explored in a new exhibit at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.
The Art of Mongolian Calligraphy: Old Tradition Revived features works by Jalair Dovdon Batbayar,
a renowned Mongolian calligraphist and artist.
The tradition of calligraphy among Mongolians dates back over 2,000 years and has been explored by
Batbayar in his book The History of Mongolian Calligraphy. Mongolian Script, one of the
examples of Mongolian calligraphy featured in the exhibit, demonstrates the ornamental characters, which play a
special role in this written form. The word "Mongolian" is written in the form of a yurt, or
dwelling, in the ornamental characters, and the word "script" represents the yurt door. The piece
signifies the spirit and culture of Mongolians as explored through script.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Embassy of Mongolia and The Mongolia Society, in commemoration of the
20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the United States. It will be on display at the Mathers Museum through Sunday, May 6, 2007.
The Mathers Museum of World Cultures is located at 416 North Indiana Avenue, Bloomington. Its exhibit hall and Museum Store are open Tuesdays
through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, from
1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free.
Metered and IU Permit parking is available at the McCalla School
parking lot on the corner of Ninth Street and Indiana Avenue. Parking is available
on surrounding streets during the weekend.
An access ramp is located at the corner of Ninth Street and Fess Avenue,
at the entrance to the Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology adjoining the
Mathers Museum. Reserved parking spaces are available on Ninth Street,
between Fess Avenue and Indiana Avenue. If you have a disability and need
assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs.
For more information, or to schedule a guided group tour, please call
812-855-6873 or e-mail mathers@indiana.edu.
