Photo © 2017  CHOI+SHINE

PUBLISHED IN

THE FLYING MOSQUE

20th Islamic Arts Festival

Sharjah, UAE


Dec. 13, 2017 - Jan. 23, 2018


Crocheters:


Kathryn Antman

Peggy Baker

Lynn Berndt

Heather Bogart

Jennifer Brigham

Sophie Cho

Yuna Cho

Jin Choi

Pat Cooper

Katie Duane

Susan Fix

Patty Foley

Nancy Gambill

Debbie Gates

Annette  Hynes

Cheryl Jansen

Peggy Kaney

Lidia Karabinech

Mary-Jean Kelehan

Tahira Kathleen Kobreek

Sofia Kyle


Hyokyung Lee

Sharry Lee Gregory

Corey Meier

Mariette Meijaard

Patti Murphy

Jean Nunn

Peihan Orestes

Kristen Perez

Julia Pierce

Lynne Provost

Prabha Ramakrishnan

Jenny Richie

Holly Rife

Hillary Robertson

Miriam Robinson

Scarlett Shaw

Dianna Smith

Mary Tokumaru

Micaya Vance Clymer

Natalie Weichel

Liz Wu

Design

Jin Choi and Thomas Shine


Crocheters

Listed below


Steel Fabrication

Shaw Welding (Boston)


3D Printing

Digits2Widgets (London)


Assembly Crew (Boston)

Jin Choi

Thomas Shine

Eunhye Yoon

Sunah Jung

Page Choi

Heesoo Kim

Heesuk Cho

Carlos Arevalo

Willie Murcia


Installation Crew (Sharjah)

Thomas Shine

Jin Choi

Liam Fraiser

Al Majaz Amphitheater Stage Crew


Lighting

Chetan Makwana  


Special Thanks to 

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed al Qasimi

Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival High Committee

Sharjah Art Museum

Farah Qassim

Nahla Alawahdi

INTERACTION WITH THE CITY, PEOPLE AND NATURE


Each element of this project takes an abstract geometric form or common architectural form that can be found in both the east and the west. These elements are arranged in a way that the composition’s axial view allows a visual interpretation of an Islamic mosque.  When the viewer’s position is off  the axis, the composition loses its legible visual order and the elements become seemingly unrelated. The varying views of the composition emphasize individual elements that are independent, complete and can stand alone, but also offer an encounter of these elements forming a harmonious and sacred whole as a single entity. This aspect of the project symbolizes the absolute superiority and singularity.

The Flying Mosque lace is crocheted in geometric shapes which uses a cross-culturally universal design language, which is repeated to compose patterns that are used both in the east and the west. However, the use of geometric patterns is exclusive and absolute in this project similar to Islamic architecture, whereas minimalistic approach to the forms and the abstraction of the surface treatment are taken from contemporary western design.  This project strives to bridge contemporary and tradition, and diffuse the boundary between the east and west.

Elongated shadows of the floating lace forms create ethereal atmosphere often found in Surrealists’ paintings.

“Qubba”, looking up.  One of the common dollie patterns is used  in three dimensions to simulate the stalactite vaults (Muqarnas).


The geometrical pattern in this project is very much connected to the Islamic art, which encourages spiritual contemplation. The expression embodied in its repetitive, orderly and cohesive pattern signifies infinity and its quiet impact produces a meditative feeling in the viewers leading them into the depth of abstraction.   As Dobree (quoted in Briggs, 1924, p.175) explained the impact of Arabesque art, this project “strives, not to concentrate the attention upon any definite object, but to diffuse them so that the viewers can bemuse themselves in the maze of regular patterning that confronts them, and free their minds from all connection with bodily and earthly matters.”

Viewers in glowing lace become “staged’ whereas the lights from the surrounding buildings add to the theatrical effect.

The images and design  copyright 2017-2022 Choi+Shine Architects, LLC.  All rights reserved. 


Contact:  Choi+Shine Architects for written permission for image use.

Juxtaposed lace forms are framed within the arch wall, “Qibla” which faces Mecca.

Geometric patterns of the lace overlap to create visual layers with increasing complexity.

With the wind, the sculptural forms sway and rotate, with their kinetic patterns of shadows.  The repetitive movement of the floating forms is rhythmic and calming  which contributes to the poetic nature of the work.

If you would like to participate

in our future crochet projects,

please send us an email to:

 skim [at] choishine.com

The design and images of The Flying Mosque  are copyright 2017, Choi+Shine Architects and may not be used without written permission. The Flying Mosque™  is a trademark of Choi+Shine Architects.

The images and design  copyright 2016 - 2024   Choi+Shine Architects, LLC.  All rights reserved. 

The designs, artworks and images on this page are subject to copyright, patent and/or trademark protection.

Contact:  Choi+Shine Architects for written permission for image use.

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