4.2 Muslim Art, Architecture and Design, Mosques and palaces By Michelle Peck Williams, adapted by Dianne Siasoco 10/23/2012
History of Islam 7 th Century AD –Religion of Islam started by Muhammad, in what is now Saudi Arabia. “Muslims” are followers, “Islam” is the religion. 8 th Century AD & on –Islamic empire spreads throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc –Ottoman Turks (Muslims) take over Constantinople & the Byzantine Empire, renaming it Istanbul –Christians Ferdinand and Isabella defeat and kick out all the Muslims in Spain.
Art Strict rules about meant you could NOT make a picture of statue of God, a holy person, etc. Muhammad’s face is usually not shown. Books can show “historical images” but they are not for praying to. Some rules relaxed later in some places, like Iran (Persians). So, instead, Islamic art focused on REPETITION, using: –Geometric patterns –Arabesques –Calligraphy
Geometric patterns
Arabesques (curved designs)
Calligraphy: Writing
Islamic architecture and design Please copy: Plaster is a building material used for covering walls and ceilings. Similar to mortar or cement it is mixed with water. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft and can be easily manipulated with tools. It is used for finishing a construction. Image to right: diki.pl
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Vaulted roofs In building construction, a structural member consisting of an arrangement of arches, usually forming a ceiling or roof.
Islamic Architecture Mosque: place of worship
Many mosques feature columns, domes and arches.
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Islamic architecture often uses a courtyard with a portico.
Minarets are the towers where the muezzin calls people to prayer.
Inside, mosques are carpeted and you must remove your shoes.
Look at page 35. Can you find the… Kiblah Mihrab-where the Koran is kept Do you know where Damascus, Kairouan, Samarra, Jerusalem, and Cordoba are?
Samarra, Iraq Before an explosion in 2006 After /newsid_ / stm
Kairouan is in Tunisia. Referred to as the Islamic Cultural Capital, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Arabs around 670. The holy Mosque of Uqba is situated in the city.[2][3] It is considered by many Muslims to be Islam's fourth holiest city.
Famous Mosques The Ka’aba, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Famous Mosques Medina
Famous Mosques The Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem, Israel
More Dome of the Rock
Dome of the Rock Interior
Famous Mosques The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain
Other Famous Architecture: The Taj Mahal in India It’s a tomb, but it looks like a Mosque. Built by Shah Jahan, a Muslim ruler of India in the 1600s.
Other Famous Architecture The Alhambra in Spain It’s a palace (house).
More Alhambra
Water Because they were a desert culture, the early Muslims valued water highly, and often incorporated it into architectural design. Water is used for washing before prayers, 5 times a day.
Arabic Science & Math To create such beautiful art works, Arabic geometry and math became very advanced. They invented algebra. “Arabic numerals” are still used today (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). They were the first to create hospitals with quarantine, the compass, lenses, and the first to create distilled alcohol as an anesthetic. Arab libraries contained math & science books from all over the world, and helped start the Renaissance in Europe.
Your PROJECT Create an Islamic-style Geometric “Kaleidoscope” design. It must have RADIAL BALANCE. You must color the whole thing with RADIAL BALANCE with 3 or more colors to get full credit.
Islamic Exit Slips A.Explain ONE way the BELIEFS of Islam influence the ART. B. Explain ONE way you used Islamic style to create your design.