Morocco: Notes on Design
December 30th, 2020
Today we’re pressing pause on our virtual travel through Morocco to learn about a foundational aspect of the country’s art, design and architecture: Islamic Geometric Design.
Islamic Geometric Design is found around the world and once you understand some of the basics, you’ll be better able to understand its value and complexity, while also being able to discern the skill of artisans who have created it.
When I lived in Vancouver, I took a fascinating class at Maiwa School of Textiles taught by Eric Broug who is a world-renowned expert on Islamic Geometric Design. His passion for the subject is boundless. He can look at a pattern and tell immediately where in the world it came from. In some ways, Islamic Geometric Design is like a fingerprint. Some designs found in Egypt are not found in Morocco. Some designs found in Iran are not found in Oman, and vice versa.
All Islamic geometric designs start with a circle and are based on divisions of that circle into four, five or six sections. This subsequently creates designs that are known as four-fold, five-fold or six-fold. To determine a design’s origin, you can simply count the stars or petals making up the pattern. Eight petals is four-fold; 12 petals is usually six-fold and 10 or 20 petals is five-fold. It sounds simple enough but when you begin to actually draw the complexities and possibilities of the geometry, an endless world of patterns emerges on the paper in front of you. It is astonishing, and suddenly all the designs you see while traveling the world take on a much deeper meaning, with much greater appreciation.
Beyond the basic geometry, two additional principles apply: symmetry and fit (as I’ll call it). Symmetry is essential to Islamic Geometric Design. Through symmetry, a design can be tessellated or extended into space indefinitely with no interruption. Symmetry also creates balanced and pleasing compositions — in other words, no tension.
Fit is also essential and can be a dead giveaway that the person who created the design you’re looking at either knew what s/he was doing or didn’t. Good Islamic Geometric Design is always made-to-measure. The canvas, space or surface for the design is measured first and the design is then created and applied symmetrically. The pattern should always be scaled and positioned to start and stop at symmetrical locations. Here’s an example from the Islamic Art exhibit at the Louvre in Paris:
When an Islamic geometric design isn’t symmetrical or doesn’t fit the composition perfectly — it’s cut off or off center — this indicates the designer has made an error or hasn’t followed the rules of authentic Islamic Geometric Design. Also, the construction lines within an Islamic geometric design should continue infinitely, with no abrupt ends within the pattern. Lines meeting and ending in a T or similar shape are mistakes within a composition. Here’s door in Tangier that is symmetrical and made-to-measure but has some T-shaped intersections:
Eric’s Instagram feed is full of examples of good (and sometimes bad) Islamic Geometric Design, and he also has a great five-minute Ted Ed video explaining the basics I’ve noted here. Eric also founded a school in the U.K. if you’re ready to dive in and learn more.
With all this in mind, no wonder this discovery in Tangier was so irresistible — it’s an elaborate example of beautiful symmetry applied correctly. Yet within it, there are subtle differences– the center design has a different color scheme than the other two (look for the big rings of green).
We’ll get back to exploring Morocco tomorrow — probably with a very simple post as it’s going to be a long work day for me. But the good news is… there’s only one day left in 2020. We made it to the end.
Stay healthy, everyone! Vaccines are on the way and we have so much more to see in the world.
Kelly
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
It’s very interesting and a perfect pedagogy in line with the journey of the moment. No doubt that I will look at the next ornaments with a different perspective. It’s a precious gift for the end of the year. Merci Kelly!
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Thanks, Lookoom! Happy to know you found this post informative and helpful to understanding the designs, now and in the future.
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Thoroughly enjoyed the video, and ‘meeting’ Eric. 🙂 🙂 Onwards to 2021, Kelly!
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Yay! Great to hear it. Thanks, Jo!
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Love this post! Filled with great information about the designs and pretty pictures to support the info. I’ve begun following Eric on Instagram — hopefully I’ll learn even more. Best wishes for a great new year!
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Great! So happy you enjoyed the post. It’s a fascinating world to learn about and Eric is a great teacher. Happy New Year to you, too!
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Islamic Geometric Design is amazing! It reminds me of Alhambra.
Happy New Year to you, Kelly!
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Yes! Alhambra has some beautiful examples of Islamic Geometric Design like the Alcazar. Happy New Year to you too, Amy!
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Something we see in so many palaces and monuments including the Taj Mahal, but the explanation you have provided makes it easier to notice and understand (a tip of iceberg view at least). I would try to look in more detail next time i notice some of these designs on a monument.
Wish you a very happy new year Kelly, and hope the travels begin soon again in this year 🥳🙂
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I can’t wait to see the Taj Mahal someday!! Happy to know you enjoyed the post and found it informative. Thank you so much for the New Year wishes. 🙂 ♥ I hope you and your family have a happy New Year, too!
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So gorgeous!
Alison
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Thanks Alison!
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Sooooo interesting! I am going to read more about this so I can keep my eye out for these designs in the future!
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Great! It’s a vast and fun realm of design. And it reaches back so far in time, with such enduring and skilled examples. Not surprised you find it interesting! 🙂
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Absolutely stunning, Kelly. This is hands-down the most interesting thing I’ve read this year. Seriously. I’ve always been a huge fan of Islamic Geometric Design, but knew little of the theory behind it. You’ve given me a great start to learn more. Thanks so much. ~Terri
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