Geometry in Islamic art

Geometry can also be found in art, as we already saw in other entries such as in the one about Ancient Greece. However, the centre of attention in this entry will be focused on Islamic art. 

Geometric patterns are combined and intertwined, they start from simple shapes like the circle and the square, resulting in these becoming a distinctive feature of Islamic art. The four basic shapes that were usually the most repeated ones to build complicated patterns are: circles and interlaced circles, squares or four-sided polygons, the ubiquitous star pattern and multisided polygons (Department of Islamic Art, 2001). Below, there is an example. 


Figure 1


Fragment of a Cover with Geometric and Interlace Decoration 




Note. Department of Islamic Art, 2001.


So, one idea for a primary school activity related to what we've just learned is to make Islamic tiles. This activity is connected to geometric shapes, and therefore to geometry and Mathematics. It also combines the subject Social Sciences, as it explores Islamic culture and religion, and Art Education, since the students will create their own tiles. We can show them a video tutorial that explains the steps in detail. This way, they draw geometric shapes, internalizing the concept, and it becomes a meaningful learning experience because it's a more dynamic activity for the students.


Video 1



Note. The heART of a Viking, 2020.


References: 


Department of Islamic Art. (2001, October). Geometric Patterns in Islamic Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/es/essays/geometric-patterns-in-islamic-art


The heART of a Viking. (2020, April 8). Islamic Tile (Video file). Youtube. https://youtu.be/-imZtuQKpc4?si=SCCzulwZCS6aE8Ol

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