Islamic Art Contributions to the World

[warriorfan]

I saw a good show about art of Islam. I didn't know they had such great works. The stuff is very impressive.

http://shangrilahawaii.org/Global/Islamic%20Art%20Collection/About%20Islamic%20Art/AboutIslamicArt_fig2.jpg

http://www.writingfordesigners.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IslamicArt4.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6230/6869758110_1ec4253dc7_b.jpg

http://www.ovationtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IslamicArt5.png

http://www.ovationtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IslamicArt.png

http://www.ovationtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IslamicArt4.png

[Akrazotile]

I can draw a mean mohammed

[Nick Young]

absolutely breathtaking architecture and interior design :rockon: What is that pink mosque called?

[nathanjizzle]

it doesnt matter what religion, artists are born to any culture.

[Terahite]

All of the art in the OP is essentially Byzantine Christian in its influence, but inferior. The motifs and art forms found in Islamic culture are in general derivative of Christianity, and many of the artists and architects of the medieval Islamic world were in fact subjugated eastern Christians.

Even the use of the Dome (so characteristic of the Islamic mosque) was an import from Byzantine Christian design used for example in many of the beautiful basilicas found in places like Constantinople. Islamic art and science as a whole was entirely dependent on the (Christian) Greco-Roman culture which it overran and conquered by the sword.

While it is visually spectacular and superior to modern art (albeit supremely inferior to western medieval art) Islamic art is generally marred by its iconoclasm which holds the depiction of the human form to be blasphemy. :facepalm

[KyrieTheFuture]

All of the art in the OP is essentially Byzantine Christian in its influence, but inferior. The motifs and art forms found in Islamic culture are in general derivative of Christianity, and many of the artists and architects of the medieval Islamic world were in fact subjugated eastern Christians.

Even the use of the Dome (so characteristic of the Islamic mosque) was an import from Byzantine Christian design used for example in many of the beautiful basilicas found in places like Constantinople. Islamic art and science as a whole was entirely dependent on the (Christian) Greco-Roman culture which it overran and conquered by the sword.

While it is visually spectacular and superior to modern art (albeit supremely inferior to western medieval art) Islamic art is generally marred by its iconoclasm which holds the depiction of the human form to be blasphemy. :facepalm
Jesus shut the **** up

[Terahite]

Jesus shut the **** up

meltdown :roll:

fake islamophile libtards keep taking Ls :lol thread backfire :lol

[KyrieTheFuture]

meltdown :roll:

fake islamophile libtards keep taking Ls :lol thread backfire :lol
I'm neither an islamophile or a liberal I just can't stand your incredible pretentiousness

[BasedTom]

the blue ones remind me of a shower

[fsvr54]

The originators of this style had to be taking some shrooms.

[Velocirap31]

Cool, something nice to look at when they're sawing your head off.

[Terahite]

I'm neither an islamophile or a liberal I just can't stand your incredible pretentiousness

I read while you watch american dad. :applause: :applause:

[Nick Young]

All of the art in the OP is essentially Byzantine Christian in its influence, but inferior. The motifs and art forms found in Islamic culture are in general derivative of Christianity, and many of the artists and architects of the medieval Islamic world were in fact subjugated eastern Christians.

Even the use of the Dome (so characteristic of the Islamic mosque) was an import from Byzantine Christian design used for example in many of the beautiful basilicas found in places like Constantinople. Islamic art and science as a whole was entirely dependent on the (Christian) Greco-Roman culture which it overran and conquered by the sword.

While it is visually spectacular and superior to modern art (albeit supremely inferior to western medieval art) Islamic art is generally marred by its iconoclasm which holds the depiction of the human form to be blasphemy. :facepalm
How is it Byzantine? Pretty sure the Byzantine empire did not stretch in to Persia. Aren't these Persian mosques? I've never seen the hyper detailed calligraphic geometric patterns that are found in Islamic mosques in Christian churches.

[warriorfan]

Islamic art is generally marred by its iconoclasm which holds the depiction of the human form to be blasphemy. :facepalm

Are you saying the art isn't valid because it doesn't include human forms? This doesn't make much sense.

[warriorfan]

http://bento.cdn.pbs.org/hostedbento-prod/gallery/20150427_160503_364753islamic-art_object_timurid-tankard-lidded-jug-cast-brass.jpg.1280x720_q85.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/b258de833564f3dc8d364657228ed347/tumblr_n0zzw72KRg1qf4n94o1_500.jpg

[Terahite]

How is it Byzantine? Pretty sure the Byzantine empire did not stretch in to Persia. Aren't these Persian mosques?

Islam overran much of what was previously under the jurisdiction of the eastern Roman empire (Byzantium) and conquered Persia around the same time. (Their vast territory stretched from Spain to China.) While Islamic culture included elements of many cultures, it was still a Christian heresy first and foremost. As I've already said the "genius" of Islamic culture which includes it's amazing architecture was for the most part completely derivative of its Christian/Greco-Roman origins.


I've never seen the hyper detailed calligraphic geometric patterns that are found in Islamic mosques in Christian churches.

Islamic art tends to focus on geometric patterns at the expense of life, whereas the art of the high Middle Ages synthesized these two elements in near perfect form (order and being). You will in fact find these types of geometrical mosaics in Byzantine churches--lining the floors (the walls and ceiling being reserved for more edifying imagery of the human form). When the moslems converted these churches into mosques they essentially took what was on the floor and painted the whole building with it, one of the reasons being their iconoclasm.

Not all mosques were Christian churches of course (certainly not ones in Persia) however this is beside the fact that the WHOLE RELIGION is a Christian heresy/doppelganger.

[Nick Young]

Islam overran much of what was previously under the jurisdiction of the eastern Roman empire (Byzantium) and conquered Persia around the same time. (Their vast territory stretched from Spain to China.) While Islamic culture included elements of many cultures, it was still a Christian heresy first and foremost. As I've already said the "genius" of Islamic culture which includes it's amazing architecture was for the most part completely derivative of its Christian/Greco-Roman origins.



Islamic art tends to focus on geometric patterns at the expense of life, whereas the art of the high Middle Ages synthesized these two elements in near perfect form (order and being). You will in fact find these types of geometrical mosaics in Byzantine churches--lining the floors (the walls and ceiling being reserved for more edifying imagery of the human form). When the moslems converted these churches into mosques they essentially took what was on the floor and painted the whole building with it, one of the reasons being their iconoclasm.

Not all mosques were Christian churches of course (certainly not ones in Persia) however this is beside the fact that the WHOLE RELIGION is a Christian heresy/doppelganger.

Geometric vs figurative does not mean one form of art is better than the other, that's entirely subjective. I personally find this insane scale of these geometric patterns in Muslim mosques to be more technically and visually impressive than medieval church interior design but that's just my taste.

I have never seen Christian calligraphy matching the level of Islamic calligraphy. I guess the book of Kells and other illuminated bibles and gospels, but I've never seen Christians have insane details covering the walls of churches like it does in Mosques and places like the Taj Mahal.

ALSO, while mosque designs certainly borrow some elements from Christian (and many other religions) places of worship, I think it's safe to say that mosque construction got to a unique point.

All of the best civilizations borrow elements from previous civilizations and make them their own. The Romans and now currently the Americans did/do this all the time. I don't hold it against Muslims that mosque design was inspired by church design. After all, their religion was inspired by and is derivative of Christianity so it makes sense.


The thing I don't like is when they go to places like Hagia Sophia and write shit all over the walls and build minarets. I've been to this building and it was the most amazing I've ever been in. I would have really liked to see its original form.

[Terahite]

The thing I don't like is when they go to places like Hagia Sophia and write shit all over the walls and build minarets. I've been to this building and it was the most amazing I've ever been in. I would have really liked to see its original form.

Never been there myself, but that's basically what I'm driving at when I say it's impressive but inferior to the original (like most things?)

http://www.pallasweb.com/p/largevirginapse2.jpg

[Nick Young]

Never been there myself, but that's basically what I'm driving at when I say it's impressive but inferior to the original (like most things?)

http://www.pallasweb.com/p/largevirginapse2.jpg
On par with the Blue Mosque, also in Istanbul. Was this originally a church?

http://holeinthedonut.smugmug.com/DailyPhotos/HITD-Daily-Photos/i-p6JmGWb/0/L/Turkey-Istanbul-Blue-Mosque-Interior3-L.jpg


Also, the blue mosque in Iran is as beautiful as any Christian building. not to mention the Taj Mahal

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02722/taj-mahal-deal_2722393b.jpg

http://www.where-is-iran.com/Religious-Monuments-In-Iran/Religious-Monuments-Image-In-Iran/Goharshad-Mosque-Mashad-Iran.jpg

Between Christian and Muslim- I love both types of architecture equally if I'm honest.

[warriorfan]

https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/902/flashcards/919902/jpg/muqarnasimage[1]1322370003475.jpg

http://islamic-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/image_thumb13.png

http://cafekhoondani.com/cafeh/804b/files/1115656.jpg

[Terahite]

geometric designs < geometric designs + religious imagery

also gothic architecture (even without the human forms) trumps anything shown above.

that's my "subjective" opinion doe. if you little deviants are trippin acid i understand you'd rather be in the blue flower room than in the room with jesus. :durantunimpressed:

[warriorfan]

geometric designs < geometric designs + religious imagery

also gothic architecture (even without the human forms) trumps anything shown above.

that's my "subjective" opinion doe. if you little deviants are trippin acid i understand you'd rather be in the blue flower room than in the room with jesus. :durantunimpressed:

To be honest there is more artistic creativity in these original patterns and color schemes rather than just doing a copy of the human form.

[Nick Young]

geometric designs < geometric designs + religious imagery

also gothic architecture (even without the human forms) trumps anything shown above.

that's my "subjective" opinion doe. if you little deviants are trippin acid i understand you'd rather be in the blue flower room than in the room with jesus. :durantunimpressed:
I love gothic cathedrals but I'd 100% rather be in blue flower room than depressing Jesus land.

Cathedrals are nice to walk through. They are built to house only hunchbacks and pedo priests for Christ's sake. This blue flower room would be way better to live in.

Blue flower room all day. Don't even need acid to enjoy it but that would make it better for sure.

[BasedTom]

The middle east is one of the more diverse (and consequently, historically contested and violent) areas of the world. So it's not entirely surprising that people that gained influence later would copy or steal what they viewed as good or useful.

The Byzantines themselves had a fairly significant controversy going on with Iconoclasm starting around the period of Leo III the Isaurian...and they have no shortage of impressive stuff as their legacy.


hell look at this city Assad just drove ISIS out of
http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/129E0/production/_88965267_1bf8845a-6496-4a6c-8d82-5587f1b16e7a.jpg

http://media.worldbulletin.net/news/2015/05/21/palmyraaaaaa.jpg

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/media/images/83002000/jpg/_83002752_478680659.jpg

long predates the existence of Islam...I wouldn't blame them for wanting to emulate that sort of greatness and put their own spin on it

[Nick Young]

https://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/902/flashcards/919902/jpg/muqarnasimage[1]1322370003475.jpg

http://islamic-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/image_thumb13.png

http://cafekhoondani.com/cafeh/804b/files/1115656.jpg
love this shit. 5 star/5

[Mr Feeny]

I'm neither an islamophile or a liberal I just can't stand your incredible pretentiousness

Agreed. These kids just can't shut up, can they? They take after their parents' racism, bigotry and hatred and mimic it.

Who cares about the religion? Enjoy the art. That's what we're discussing here. Some of the calligraphy on there is pretty marvelous.

[poido123]

Pretty cool stuff :applause:

[warriorfan]

http://data.whicdn.com/images/73545676/large.jpg

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/islamic-art-architecture-2591188.jpg

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/islamic-art-architecture-2591073.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8329/8094768919_323e80a1f9.jpg


https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8044/8094777471_ee6fafaa32_b.jpg

[Im Still Ballin]

This proves the earth is flat

[Terahite]

No Jackson Pollock fans here?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iURkvw9SPBg/UU4zT3Z8KFI/AAAAAAAAX8o/PnY8fGw2kRM/s1600/pollock.jpg

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[warriorfan]

No Jackson Pollock fans here?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iURkvw9SPBg/UU4zT3Z8KFI/AAAAAAAAX8o/PnY8fGw2kRM/s1600/pollock.jpg

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

I much prefer this.

http://s18.postimg.org/p8ys956tl/1415884576_beautiful_mosque_ceiling_261_880.jpg

[Nick Young]

http://s18.postimg.org/p8ys956tl/1415884576_beautiful_mosque_ceiling_261_880.jpg
also, was made with old tech, the people who built and designed this did the calculations and design on paper. No autocad do come to with the calculations for them.

And on top of that, the perfect hand made geometrically symmetrical designs on the patterning. Insane. Ancient people were amazing.

[Terahite]

also, was made with old tech, the people who built and designed this did the calculations and design on paper. No autocad do come up with the calculations for them.

And on top of that, the perfect hand made geometrically symmetrical designs on the patterning. Insane. Ancient people were amazing.

I agree with you but this stuff, though derivative of ancient techniques, isn't that ancient. Less than a thousand years old in many cases. It should properly be credited to the medieval age which was the absolute pinnacle for the arts, whether Christian or Muslim. The arts have taken a significant nosedive ever since particularly since the 1960's.

http://img2.tfd.com/wiki/e/e0/Rock_Hall.jpg

:facepalm :biggums:

[Patrick Chewing]

http://www.theblackandblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blood_dripping_off_wall-1024x575.jpg


This is my favorite piece by far.

[Terahite]

http://www.theblackandblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blood_dripping_off_wall-1024x575.jpg


This is my favorite piece by far.

Looks like your apartment on election night. :lebronamazed:

[Nick Young]

I agree with you but this stuff, though derivative of ancient techniques, isn't that ancient. Less than a thousand years old in many cases. It should properly be credited to the medieval age which was the absolute pinnacle for the arts, whether Christian or Muslim. The arts have taken a significant nosedive ever since particularly since the 1960's.

http://img2.tfd.com/wiki/e/e0/Rock_Hall.jpg

:facepalm :biggums:
some modern architecture is great, like many of the homes created by Mies van der Rohe.

I agree that medieval age is the pinnacle of the arts. The level of skill and technique achieved in the medieval world has been lost.

[warriorfan]

https://all-that-is-interesting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/islamic-architecture-hagia-sophia7.jpg

[Nick Young]

https://all-that-is-interesting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/islamic-architecture-hagia-sophia7.jpg
bro you know this was a christian church made by the Byzantines right?

I've been inside it. It was a beautiful experience, but all of the arabic calligraphy scrawled on top of the walls did not help the interior design of that building improve.

In this case, the Islamic art world's contribution made the original worse IMO.

Islamic art does not get to claim the Hagia Sophia. All they did was hang some Arabic icons from the ceiling and covered up the pillars on the bottom floor with calligraphy and patterning.


This mosque is in the same city as that church. It's also very nice
http://www.timetravelturtle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Turkey-2012-319_web-lrg.jpg


Hagia Sophia does not need these Muslim contributions. Probably looks much better without.
http://action.hellenicleaders.com/images/Advocacy%20page%20images/Hagia%20Sophia.jpg

[warriorfan]

https://40.media.tumblr.com/d9a54ed1a02d56f58044b8471494afed/tumblr_nj12hjKY0z1qapk2qo1_500.jpg

http://www.esinislam.com/MosquesAroundTheWorld/Masjed1045.jpg

http://s24.postimg.org/er0vf49zp/islamic_hdr_wallpapers_islamic_architect_1.jpg

[warriorfan]

http://islamic-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MEDINA_AZAHARA_SALON_RICO_09.jpg

https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/69598/433831/f/4233106-Why-I-love-Islamic-Architecture-0.jpg

http://img01.deviantart.net/10d7/i/2009/079/c/2/y_i_love_islamic_architecture_by_reemkm.jpg

[Nick Young]

http://islamic-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MEDINA_AZAHARA_SALON_RICO_09.jpg

https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/69598/433831/f/4233106-Why-I-love-Islamic-Architecture-0.jpg

http://img01.deviantart.net/10d7/i/2009/079/c/2/y_i_love_islamic_architecture_by_reemkm.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CmAKAZkYCtQ/UFHmbs36DXI/AAAAAAAAC4M/QCtrQRcmoBk/s1600/thumbs-up-gladiator.gif

Hold this W, Muslims. If only they focused less on terrorism and sharia law these days and more on architecture and interior design. The world would be a better place for it.

[9erempiree]

No Jackson Pollock fans here?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iURkvw9SPBg/UU4zT3Z8KFI/AAAAAAAAX8o/PnY8fGw2kRM/s1600/pollock.jpg

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

I'm a fan of Pollock.

[Lebowsky]

http://islamic-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MEDINA_AZAHARA_SALON_RICO_09.jpg

https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/69598/433831/f/4233106-Why-I-love-Islamic-Architecture-0.jpg


I've been to those two. The first one, Medina Azahara, is nothing but ruins nowadays, but it was one of the wonders of its time. It (reportedly) even featured mercury fountains and pools. The second one is the Aljaferia Palace, in Zaragoza, and it is currently the seat of the regional government. Really beautiful place.

[NumberSix]

https://all-that-is-interesting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/islamic-architecture-hagia-sophia7.jpg
Christian cathedral that was built before Islam existed.

[NumberSix]

Islamic art does not get to claim the Hagia Sophia.
He's wrong, but you constantly do the same thing.

Muslims conquered this land, so ignorant people give Muslims credit for the Hagia Sophia which came from an entirely non-muslim culture. You yourself constantly give Muslims credit for things created by the Assyrians, Greeks, Indians, pre-Islamic Persians, etc...

[warriorfan]

He's wrong, but you constantly do the same thing.

Muslims conquered this land, so ignorant people give Muslims credit for the Hagia Sophia which came from an entirely non-muslim culture. You yourself constantly give Muslims credit for things created by the Assyrians, Greeks, Indians, pre-Islamic Persians, etc...

Muslims took over and put their own beautiful flavor on it. It's theirs now.

[warriorfan]

I've been to those two. The first one, Medina Azahara, is nothing but ruins nowadays, but it was one of the wonders of its time. It (reportedly) even featured mercury fountains and pools. The second one is the Aljaferia Palace, in Zaragoza, and it is currently the seat of the regional government. Really beautiful place.

Very cool. It's such a shame when these one of a kind works are lost.

[Nick Young]

He's wrong, but you constantly do the same thing.

Muslims conquered this land, so ignorant people give Muslims credit for the Hagia Sophia which came from an entirely non-muslim culture. You yourself constantly give Muslims credit for things created by the Assyrians, Greeks, Indians, pre-Islamic Persians, etc...
Taj Mahal was created by Muslims.

[warriorfan]

http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Top-10-Arabic-Architecture-Abu-Dhabi-Photo-by-WK-Cheoh.jpg

[nightprowler10]

Islamic art and architecture is fascinating because using images and statues was taboo so they use Quranic verses a lot as a way to decorate everything. This leads to some very creative thinking and solutions when designing minarets, tombs, domes, etc. There's a certain calming beauty to it all.

It's all very influenced by the local cultures though. While you can clearly see a common theme in most Islamic architecture, there are significant differences between something built by the Mughals in Lahore or Delhi and everything the Turks did.

I also just absolutely love the Gothic cathedrals in Europe. I spent a day in Milan during my honeymoon and spent all of it inside the Duomo and on the rooftop. The detail is absolutely mind boggling. No wonder it took them 600 years.

[nightprowler10]

Muslims took over and put their own beautiful flavor on it. It's theirs now.
Yeah not very different than all the beautiful churches that used to be pagan temples in Rome. The most obvious example is the Pantheon. No one aside from people looking for one-upsmanship actually give a shit.

[Nick Young]

http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Top-10-Arabic-Architecture-Abu-Dhabi-Photo-by-WK-Cheoh.jpg
o lawd where is that?

[warriorfan]

o lawd where is that?

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

[warriorfan]

Yeah not very different than all the beautiful churches that used to be pagan temples in Rome. The most obvious example is the Pantheon. No one aside from people looking for one-upsmanship actually give a shit.

Agreed on all points.

[Nick Young]

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
is it new? GJ Abu Dhabi.

[NumberSix]

Taj Mahal was created by Muslims.
The leader of America, Barack Obama is African American, therefore everything built in America the past 7 years was built by African Americans.

[warriorfan]

is it new? GJ Abu Dhabi.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque

Finished in 2007

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Water_mirror_and_columns_in_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jp g/480px-Water_mirror_and_columns_in_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jp g

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c0/Inner_court_yard_of_Shekh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg/213px-Inner_court_yard_of_Shekh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque#/media/File%3AFront_of_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque#/media/File%3AGrand_Mosque_in_Abu_Dhabi_(aerial).jpg

[Nick Young]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque

Finished in 2007

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fe/Water_mirror_and_columns_in_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jp g/480px-Water_mirror_and_columns_in_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jp g

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c0/Inner_court_yard_of_Shekh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg/213px-Inner_court_yard_of_Shekh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque#/media/File%3AFront_of_Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque#/media/File%3AGrand_Mosque_in_Abu_Dhabi_(aerial).jpg
It's cool when people make buildings like this, but to me, the fact that it's made with modern computers and technology and production makes it less impressive to me than similar looking buildings from the 1500s that were designed and built and crafted entirely by hand.