Rhapsody by Omar Najjar in Amman, Jordan

While back in Jordan for break, I visited a mini-art exhibition yesterday entitled “Rhapsody” by Jordanian artist Omar Najjar. I couldn’t help but find great resemblance between it and our Porject 1.1 – Sound analysis. 

In Rhapsody, the paintings explore the collective act of orchestral music. Each piece depicts orchestra players in action. Each individual has their role but to complete the ensemble and allow the music to play, they must also listen to each other- both instrument and player. By focusing on the collective rather than the individual, Najjar is making a comment on life and how a healthy society functions. 

Although painting a static scene, Najjar’s use of broad brush strokes, blurred lines, and swathes of color and balance between positive and negative space convey movement, energy and to some extent even the sound of the notes. By revealing his process through imprecise markings, it is as if Najjar is letting his viewer into the feelings he has for the music and for the act of playing collectively in rhapsody. Rather than concentrating on the figures or the instruments, Najjar is painting the music itself. And while not as abstract as our task set out to be, I found it particularly interesting how the elements of abstractness in his concrete depictions ground both aspects of his intended meaning!

Enjoy some pictures below!!

-Joud T.