Art & Architecture of the Middle East and North Africa

1. Art & Architecture of the Middle East and North Africa

2. REVIEW of the Middle East • Canaan/Israel/Palestine • The Hebrews/Israelites/Jews • Judaism • Monotheism • Abraham • Jerusalem • Torah (Old Testament to Christians) • “Graven Image”concept • Christianity • Jesus • Builds on Judaism but adds Jesus’ teachings, belief in Jesus as Messiah • Romans • Expel Jews, destroy temple in 70 AD • Persecute Christians but convert in 300s

3. History of Islam • 7th Century AD • Religion of Islam started by Muhammad, in what is now Saudi Arabia. “Muslims” are followers, “Islam” is the religion. • 8th Century AD & on • Islamic empire spreads throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, etc. • 1453 • Ottoman Turks (Muslims) take over Constantinople & the Byzantine Empire, renaming it Istanbul. • 1492 • Christians Ferdinand and Isabella defeat and kick out all the Muslims in Spain.

4. Art • Strict rules about “graven images”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

5. Geometric patterns

6. Arabesques (curved designs)

7. Calligraphy:Fancy Writing

8. Islamic Architecture • Mosque: place of worship

9. Many mosques feature columns, domes and arches.

10. Islamic architecture often uses an “atrium” plan.

11. Minarets are the towers where the muezzin calls people to prayer.

12. Inside, mosques are carpeted and you must remove your shoes.

13. Famous Mosques • The Ka’aba, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

14. Famous Mosques • Medina

15. Famous Mosques • The Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem, Israel

16. More Dome of the Rock

17. Dome of the Rock Interior

18. Famous Mosques • The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain

19. 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.

20. Other Famous Architecture • The Alhambra in Spain • It’s a palace (house).

21. More Alhambra

22. More Alhambra

23. More Alhambra

24. More Alhambra

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Your PROJECT • Create an Islamic-style Geometric design. • It must have RADIAL BALANCE. • You must color the whole thing with RADIAL BALANCE with 3 or more colors to get full credit.

28. Islamic Exit Slips • Explain ONE way the BELIEFS of Islam influence the ART. B. Explain ONE way you used Islamic style to create your design.