Layah Ziaii-Bigdeli , an intern in the Department of Islamic Art, discusses the sherds of Chinese ceramics found among the 9th–10th-century fragments excavated at Nishapur, Iran.

Sheila Canby, Patti Cadby Birch Curator in Charge, Department of Islamic Art, shares moments from her recent Travel with The Met tour to Iran.

Looking toward the holiday season, Research Assistant Julia Cohen discusses a ninth-century Iraqi book about dining etiquette and several examples of Islamic serveware.

Lucy Redoglia and Christopher Gorman introduce readers to Ian Alteveer, curator in the Met's Department of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Guest blogger Arian Sheets explores the history of a prized cello by Andrea Amati that is on loan to the Met through September 8.

This inaugural volume in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's series on its annual Roof Garden commissions features the work of acclaimed Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi. Extending and challenging the Islamic art traditions in which he trained, Qureshi incorporates the lessons of abstract painting in his investigations into ornamentation, line, and color. From paintings and works on paper that reflect the relationship between Islam and the West to site-specific installations that operate on an architectural scale, the artist examines what connects us across cultures and throughout time. This beautifully illustrated book gives the backdrop for Qureshi's installation at the Metropolitan Museum and discusses the interplay between his vision and the space for which the work was created—particularly its views of Central Park. An illuminating interview with Qureshi highlights the Mughal miniature tradition that inspired his work as well as the social, political, and aesthetic concerns that inform this remarkable commission.

Today is a landmark day for the Metropolitan Museum as we celebrate the new Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia, a spectacular achievement for the Museum and its Islamic Art Department.

Alarm Will Sound Artistic Director Alan Pierson looks back on the group's yearlong exploration of the Museum.

Public Services Librarian Leah High discusses a recent Met event with award-winning illustrator Brian Floca.