Group 1: Abby Ragaza Bianca Cosca Celine Lozare John Rick de Leon

ISLAMIC ART - a modern concept, created by art historians in the 19 th century to categorize and study the material first produced under the Islamic people that emerged from Arabia in the 7 th century. Art that is influenced by Islam is found in many places in the world. The influences may be cultural, or religious Not used just to describe religious art or architecture. It applies to all art forms produced in the Islamic World. We generally define Islamic art as works of art produced in the part of the world where the religion of Islam has played a dominant role for a long period of time. They do not necessarily have to be works of art made by or for Muslims. The artists might also be followers of another religion, for example Christians or Jews. And the message conveyed by their art does not have to directly reflect the religion of Islam. It can also have a purely secular character.

Islam forbids the creation of images of Muhammad in order to prevent his followers worshipping idols. There are no pictures of people or animals in mosques. A mosque is an Islamic holy building. The name comes form the Arabic word “majid” meaning “place of prostration”.

 Calligraphic  Geometric  Organic/Figural Representations  Floral/Vegetal Art

CALLIGRAPHY- The art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush. The most highly regarded and most fundamental element of Islamic art. Used for decorative purposes, but often also includes talismanic components. Known in Arabic as khatt ( خط ), which derived from the word 'line', 'design', or 'construction'.

Bowl, 10th century (Uzbekistan or Iran)

Helmet, late 15th century; Ak–Koyunlu/Shivran (Iran)

Mosque lamp for the Mausoleum of Amir Aydakin al 'Ala'I al–Bunduqdar, Mamluk period (1250–1517), shortly after 1285 (Cairo, Egypt)

One of the three nonfigurative types of decoration in Islamic art (The other two are Calligraphy and Vegetal/Floral art). Mostly presented in patterns of shapes to express unity and order. Used in many objects including common household items, armor, and even architecture.

Dado panel, first half of 15th century; Mamluk (Egypt)

Plate, Mamluk period (1250–1517), 14th century (Syria)

Talismanic shirt, 15th or early 16th century (India)

Organic and figural works are easily identified by their curving lines. Example: (that is a bird)

FLORAL ART Also known as Vegetal Art The art was not developed independently of influences from nature and the environment. Representation was more on abstract than realistic Critics say the floral depictions and ornaments of the artists were conventional (lacks of growth and creativity) but that was only because of their environment. Where experiencing other seasons and flowers are scarce. Vegetal patterns were influenced by Byzantine Empire traditions

Examples of Floral Art:

Islamic civilization experienced a golden age under the Abbassid Dynasty, which ruled from the mid 8th century until the mid 13th century. Under the Abbassids, Islamic culture became a blending of Arab, Persian, Egyptian, and European traditions. The result was an era of stunning intellectual and cultural achievements.

According to the teachings of the Qur'an, Islamic artists were forbidden from using human figures in religious art. So they developed a style of geometric shapes and patterns that were used to decorate religious buildings called Mosques. These geometric patterns usually contained verses from the Qur'an written in a stylized form of decorative handwriting called calligraphy. Islamic architects borrowed heavily from the Byzantine Empire which used domes and arches extensively throughout their cities. An example of this use can be seen in the Dome of the Rock, a famous mosque in Jerusalem.

Once one of the biggest mosques in the World, it’s now a Catholic Cathedral since the Spanish Inquisition

Hegira 207–38 / AD 822–52, Umayyads of al-Andalus, Emirate of ‘Abd al- Rahman II

Hegira 2nd century / AD 8th century, Abbasid

Hegira 109 / AD 727, Umayyad

Hegira 87–96 / AD 706–715, Umayyad

Hegira 66–86 / AD 685–705, Umayyad

Hegira 7th century / AD 13th century, Artuqid period

MOSAIC - the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces made up of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It is a technique of decorative art or interior decoration. Mosaic glass had brief period of popularity in Islam, in the eighth and ninth centuries in Mesopotamia and Syria. The majority of Islamic mosaic objects were found at the site of Samarra’, the capital of the Abbasid dynasty (750–1258) founded on the Tigris River in 836 A.D. To our knowledge, there was no specific term for this type of glass being used in the Islamic world; since the 15th century, it was commonly known as millefiori (Italian for "thousand flowers").

In the west of Europe, the Moors brought Islamic mosaic and tile art into the Iberian peninsula in the 8th century, while elsewhere in the Muslim world, all stone, glass and ceramic were used in mosaics. In contrast to the figurative representations in Byzantine art, Islamic motifs were usually geometric and mathematical. One example can be seen in Spain at the Great Mosque at Cordoba. In Arabic countries a distinctive decorative style called zillij uses purpose-made ceramic shapes that are further worked by hand to allow them to tessellate (fit together perfectly to cover a surface).

Example of Mosaic Art: BOWL IN MILLEFIORI TECHNIQUE Abbasid period (750–1258), 9th century

For Muslims these forms make up infinite patterns that extend beyond the material world Symbolizes the infinite nature of the creation of Allah To the adherents of Islam: continuous patterns are symbolic of their united faith and the way in which traditional Islamic cultures view the world The best art that can be created by man for use in the Mosque is art that displays the underlying order and unity of nature

NOTE: There is a theory that says there are mistakes in repetitions (pattern) were actually intentional by the artists to show humility because they believe only Allah can produce perfection. Each repeating geometric form has a built-in symbolism into it. Some geometric patterns can be thought as of both art and science because the art is at the same time mathematically precise. The artistic part of it is that can also be secular and religious art work.

ISLAMIC GARDEN PLANTS: ISLAMIC GARDENS AND LANDSCAPES Also a reflection of religious beliefs. Islamic tradition includes historic gardens built as a result of the Koran’s teachings and as a reaction to the arid conditions in which these people lived. The Islamic garden design of ancient civilizations such as Persia, Turkey, Asia, India, Egypt and Morocco to name but a few, is still evident as archeological sites and, occasionally, continued gardens.

ISLAMIC GARDEN DESIGN Desert conditions and scarce vegetation dominate majority of the Middle East and western to south-eastern Asia. Lack of water and pressing sun, wind and heat require surcease and shelter from the constant weather. Walled gardens filled with trees, water features, fruits and flowers were the answer to this need and also glorified God by surrounding the faithful with His riches. In these serene gardens, Muslims could contemplate and meditate upon nature in peace and serenity. Some Muslim gardens still persist and bear similar features as the early 7th to 16th century examples of the art form. Most Islamic gardens contained courtyards, paths, fountains and playing areas. Some even had zoos and racecourses. An element that is not seen is statuary because the Koran strictly forbids such artwork. The waterways helped irrigate the plants but also provided dimension and sound to the garden. Often the garden featured a kiosk, which might be a small semi-open structure or even a closed, closely fortified edifice.

Islamic garden plants included: Date palms Other native palms Melons Grafted fruit trees Herbs Other trees and vegetation

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE- can be defined as building traditions of Muslim populations of the Middle East and any country where Islam has been dominant from the 7 th century on. TYPES OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE: MOSQUE – place of worship MADRASAH – public school HAMMAM – structural design for a hot bathhouse CARAVANSERAI – a roadside for inn travelers CASBAH/CITADEL – a fortress MAUSOLEUM – a tomb or a monument ISLAMIC DECORATIVE ELEMENTS Geometric Pattern Arabesque (floral patterns) Calligraphy Light Water

MOSQUE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES MASHRABIYA – protective window enclosed with carved wood MIHRAB – semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla SAHN – a courtyard and ablution (washing/hygiene) area MINARET – are used to call to prayer DOME – focal point and covering the main prayer hall DIKKA – place of delivering royal messages MIMBAR – where imam (worship leader of a mosque) deliver khutbah (a primary formal occasion for public preaching in the Islamic tradition) MUQARNAS – a persian architectural ornament PRAYING AREA HALL – main area to perform congregational pray ARCH – structure that spans a space while supporting weight

Examples of Islamic Architecture Selimiye Mosque. Edirne, Turkey

Si-yo-se-pol. Isfahan, Iran

Great Mosque of Damascus. Old City of Damascus. 715 C.E.