Abstract
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 contributions from Bastak are wind towers, courtyards, 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 to the only Islamic geometric pattern found in the UAE, it is believed that it originated from Irahestan, a historical region consisting of southern Fars province and western Hormozgan province in Iran. 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 of creation, beauty, and, most importantly, 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.
Author Information
Chadi El Tabbah, School of Architecture, Art, and Design–American University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Paper Information
Conference: BAMC2023
Stream: Cultural Studies
This paper is part of the BAMC2023 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Tabbah C. (2023) The Traders of Bastak ISSN: 2435-9475 – The Barcelona Conference on Arts, Media & Culture 2023: Official Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9475.2023.13
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9475.2023.13
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