Dubai’s historical Bastakiya quarter gets its name from Bastak, Iran; the origin of many textile and pearl traders who first plied their trades in what would become the UAE. The architectural contribution from Bastak are wind towers, court yards, and wooden carved doors. Those elements are constructed to become places, they are designed to add value to the purpose an area serves for human engagement and needs. Al Bastakiya is also home of the only Islamic geometric pattern found at the neighborhood, it is believed that it is originated from Irahestan, a historical region consisting of southern Fars province and western Hormozgan province in Persia.
Yet de-coding the geometric patterns’ construction and their profound philosophical role is knowledge that is less well known than the origins.
Geometric patterns encourage observation on creation, beauty, and, most importantly, on the infinite. Patterns adorn our surroundings to support the spiritual life, to instill a way of perceiving the world and to engage the viewers in a visual and universal language. Geometry helps the believer to reflect on the greatness of creation, patterns are believed to be the bridge to the mystical realm, and the instrument to purify the soul.
In this talk, they will analyze, decompose, and uncover the mystery of the only geometric pattern of Al Bastakiya historical district, and perhaps modernize it, in order to engage the viewers in a visual deliberation and graphical debate.
