In this episode of Hwar AlMadar, we welcome Captain Augusto Salgado from the Portuguese Maritime Museum, Lisbon (Museu de Marinha) and Dr Silke Ackermann from the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford. Together, they explore the intersections of Islamic science and art, emphasizing the shared contributions to global knowledge. Discover the rich history of the astrolabe, its cultural significance, and its lasting impact on modern technologies. This episode sheds light on the often-overlooked ties between civilizations and the continuous exchange of ideas that have shaped our world today.

00:00 Introduction to the Intersection of Science and Art
01:59 Exploring the Portuguese Maritime Museum
04:10 History of Science Museum at Oxford
06:27 The Concept of Islamic Arts and Sciences
08:08 Understanding the Astrolabe
12:13 Portuguese Adaptation of the Astrolabe
16:29 Cultural and Historical Connections
18:17 Public Perception and Museum Narratives
20:26 Engaging with Diverse Communities
21:02 Challenging the Term “Islamic Science”
21:54 Balancing Celebration and Context
23:47 Understanding the Astrolabe’s Legacy
25:14 How a Mechanical Astrolabe Works
29:29 Exploring the AlMadar Exhibition
30:20 Historical Connections and Contributions
38:56 Reflections on Islamic Art and Its Impact
40:51 Final Thoughts

Dr Silke Achermann is the Director of the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford, having been appointed in 2014 as the first female museum director at Oxford University. She is also co-founding director of the Oxford Centre for the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology and holds a Professorial Fellowship at Linacre College. In 2013 she was the first woman to be elected President of the Scientific Instrument Commission of the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, a post she held until 2017. Ackermann is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers, and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

Captain Augusto Salgado graduated from the Portuguese Naval Academy in 1983. He is a Captain of the Portuguese Navy, and has a PhD in Maritime History by the Faculdade de Letras, Lisbon. He is a researcher at CINAV – PT Naval Research Centre and member of the Academia de Marinha and of the Portuguese Military History Commission. He teaches Maritime History (XVI to XX centuries) at the Portuguese Navy Academy (Escola Naval) and in post-graduated courses. His field of study is the Portuguese Naval History (mainly 16th century onward) and has published three books and several papers on this subject. In 2011 he won the award Prémio do Mar – Rei D. Carlos 2011 (Cascais). He is also a keen underwater archaeology enthusiast since 1996 and underwater photographer for over 30 years. He is the co-coordinator of the project “The U-35 operations in the Algarve” that won the National Archaeology Society (UK) award “Adopt a Wreck Award 2015” and of the Research Program – HistArC: Maritime History and Archaeology of the Conflicts.

Hosted by: 
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

Hwar AlMadar, is a live podcast series that is part of The Diriyah Biennale Foundation Public Programs, and powered by afikra, featuring leading experts from institutions around the world that contributed to AlMadar in the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in Jeddah. AlMadar (“The Orbit”) showcases objects that embody centuries of knowledge, masterful craftsmanship, and the spirit of cultural exchange.

The Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 provides a holistic platform for new discourse about Islamic arts, offering an unparalleled space for learning, research, and insight. By juxtaposing contemporary and newly commissioned artworks with historical objects from Islamic cultures, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making. It offers a unique platform for artists to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and the intersection of past and present, while fostering cross-cultural connections and expanding the global understanding of Islamic art and culture.

حوار المدار هو سلسلة بودكاست حيّة تابعة للبرنامج الثقافي في مؤسسة بينالي الدرعية، بالتعاون مع عفكرة. يستضيف البودكاست خبراء عالميين من المؤسسات المشاركة في “المدار” الذي يضم مقتنيات تختزل قروناً من المعرفة والحرفية والتبادل الثقافي، في بينالي جدة للفنون الإسلامية 2025

يقدم بينالي الفنون الإسلامية منصة شاملة لاستضافة وتشجيع الحوار وتوسيع المعرفة بالفنون الإسلامية، وذلك من خلال ما يوفره من فرص للبحث والتأمل والتعلم في مختلف المجالات. يعرض البينالي تحفاً تاريخية من مختلف الثقافات الإسلامية، جنباً إلى جنب مع أعمال من الفن المعاصر، وذلك في محاولة لاستكشاف عمق المعاني الإيمانية، والتعرف على طرق التعبير الإبداعي عنها من خلال الفكر والحس والإبداع. كما يوفر البينالي منصة فريدة للفنانين لاستكشاف موضوعات تشمل الإيمان والهوية والتقاطعات بين الماضي والحاضر، مع تعزيز الروابط الثقافية والتعريف بالفنون والثقافة الإسلامية على المستوى العالمي

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