Kuwait: House of Mirrors, a little known but greatly creative piece of art

By John V Tauro, Kuwait
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 03 April 2012: The House of Mirrors is not known to many people even those who reside in Kuwait. Perhaps, those interested in browsing through sections of ‘places to visit while in Kuwait’, may find a short paragraph written about this place. “We can finish seeing this place in half an hour”, is what I thought to myself, and made other appointments after that. Not in my 45 years of stay in Kuwait, had I known a wealth of art so accessible to the public at large. I am glad I made this visit. It is worth the effort. Trust me when I say it. 

 

We made a prior appointment to visit the house and on arrival were warmly greeted by a lady named Lidia Al Qattan, the creator of this unique place, who took us into her living room area. She was kind to offer us drinks, cake, water and biscuits. Her hospitality was endearing.

 

 

Mrs. Lidia briefly introduced herself, stating that she was born in Italy as Lidia Scagnolari and married to a Kuwaiti man named, Khalifa Al Qattan in 1958, following which she resided in Kuwait. She is a painter, sculptor, jeweler and writer by passion and instinct. She began to tell her story of what inspired her to transform an ordinary looking house into the now called House of Mirrors. It’s simple, “Termites, lots of termites eating through the wood, corners and walls of the house”. She disliked it and when her husband was abroad for his art exhibition, she felt lonely and decided to decorate the cabinet which prior to his departure her husband had completed and created with his own hands. She had some broken pieces of mirror which she used to make the cabinet shine. When her husband returned he was happy, impressed and astounded by her work.  This inspired and encouraged her to do more. What started with a small cabinet in 1970’s began the transformation of all corners of the house. One thing led to another and thus each room took its shape of what it stands as today.

 

 

She explained that her tools are just four items, a table spoon, a filer, and two different types of knives to cut the mirror, which she later procured from Al Bassam Mirror factory in Shuwaikh. White glue, white cement and water are mixed to fix the mirrors onto the wall and create a design that takes shape only after working on it. Each cut piece of mirror is filed, to avoid being hurt.

 

 

Every room has a theme; the living room is decorated in Kuwaiti style or Planet Earth, the kitchen is colorful.

 

 

 

The other room a diwaniya is called the “The beginning of the journey”. This is decorated by the twelve signs of the zodiac. Music played in the background, lights switched off, and the effect of the mirror shine is seen.

 

 

We walk through the corridor which has a dual theme, ‘corridor of nations’ and ‘Shark Hall’. The sea world hall leads to the bathroom space to the right, the bedroom in front and the library to the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bedroom is called the ‘universe hall’, there are paintings on the wall done by her and the glass works on the floor of the room are all related to the universe. It originates with the beginning of the Universe, to the consciousness of people on how to spread love and peace. There is also a painting of Quran, which she has decorated with glass.

 

 

We were taken into her library which has a collection from floor to ceiling of various subjects and literature. She showed us a very old book that termites had plagued into. And a photo album of how she used to do her work, all documented well.

 

 

 

After this, we proceeded, to the ‘Stairs to Inspiration’. The staircase, which features golden birds in flight, leads to the first floor that houses separate art galleries for both Lidia’s and her late husband Khalifa’s work. The first big hall is the art gallery for her husband’s paintings, next to it is a small room, where she had kept the things used by her husband while painting very thoughtfully. There are also pictures of Khalifa done by other artist, pictures with dignitaries, certificates by associations and universities in this room. We came to know from her that her husband was a founder member of Kuwait’s National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.

 

 

 

We were taken into the adjacent room, where there are more paintings by her husband Khalifa. The small place in between the two rooms, there are paintings and jewelry done by Lidia. After that in the other rooms are Lidia’s art….paintings on different canvases, mirror work, sculptures, lamps, jewelry and candleholders.

 

 

 

 

Next she leads us to a dark room containing shimmering light, what she calls “art therapy”. With soft music in the background, it has a relaxing environment. Just as the stars of the zodiac glowed in darkness in the downstairs, similarly this room has paintings and few work of light which glow. She left us for few minutes to contemplate.

 

 

The tour ends with “nucleus of the galaxy”, where she creates satellites, stars, planets on the walls and ceiling. “Look at the sky”, she says.” You see them moving”.

 

One is indeed fascinated and mesmerized by now. For many people it is the “House of Mirrors” but to Lidia it is the fulfillment of a dream.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a gallery of her art on sale, and those who are impressed by her work are free to make a purchase, towards the end of the tour.What was to be a half hour visit turned to be almost two hours. I was left astonished at the art, passion, patience, and creativity of this humble lady.