{"id":149150,"date":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secretenergy.com\/?p=149150"},"modified":"2019-10-05T11:22:35","modified_gmt":"2019-10-05T11:22:35","slug":"the-math-and-magic-of-muqarnas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/secretenergy.com\/the-math-and-magic-of-muqarnas\/","title":{"rendered":"The Math and Magic of Muqarnas"},"content":{"rendered":"

A style of architectural ornamentation that dates back to the middle of the 10th century, originating in Iran and North Africa, Muqarnas compositions are 3D manifestations of 2D Islamic geometric designs, meaning these insanely complex designs were made using nothing more than a humble compass and ruler.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our world of digital manufacturing, it\u2019s hard to imagine these intricate, perfect geometries were made by hand, one unit at a time, hundreds of years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"topkapi-scroll-600x308\"<\/span><\/p>\n

In this picture, you can see the wood scaffolding and cement used to piece one style of Muqarnas together:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"muqarnas-scaffolding-620x318\"<\/span><\/p>\n

And what the finished product would look like:<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shah-e-Cheragh-glassy-abby-620x465\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\"alhambra-e1479720075706-620x436\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Each Muqarnas composition has five common qualities:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. <\/span>A three-dimensional shape that can readily be flattened into a two-dimensional geometric outline (and begins as such)<\/span><\/p>\n

2. <\/span>The depth of design is variable and determined entirely by the maker<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Simultaneously architectural and ornamental by nature<\/span><\/p>\n

4. No intrinsic logical or mathematical boundaries so can be scaled ad infinitum<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Consists of stacked tiers made up of cells, each of which has a facet and a roof of sorts<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

UK-based author, educator, and artist Eric Broug is a renowned scholar on Islamic geometrics who has made it his mission to spread the knowledge and joy of muqarnas through his workshops, lectures, books, and tutorials, all housed under the\u00a0School of Islamic Geometric Design.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Be sure to check out the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Resources page<\/a><\/strong>, which features tutorials as well as a teacher guide.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Broug has also created a fascinating\u00a0TED-Ed video\u00a0on the complex geometry of Islamic design that\u2019s definitely worth a watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

His \u201cPractical Introduction to Muqarnas\u201d gives a great, illustrative overview:<\/span><\/p>\n