FURMAH series exhibition

Few weeks ago, Al Hamra contemporary art projects presented, in a private art gallery, an exhibition of several multicoloured painting canvases from the FURMAH series, basically in 162 x 130 cm of size, but some more large. This painting series is based on traditional al-Andalus and al-Maghrib mosaic tiles called zillij and its individual pieces called furmah (in Arabic language). All these little pieces are carefully cut from highly glazed tiles by master artisans to create a geometric pattern. To build up the pattern, thousands of furmah are laid face down on a floor. The preparation of the furmah is so precise that the edges join perfectly. A concrete mix is poured over the back of the furmah, creating a slab. This slab, when set, can be mounted on a wall or fixed to a floor. The principal colors are blue from cobalt, green from copper, yellow from cadmium and red from iron oxide.

Islamic mosaic work is characterized by geometric multiple-point star, medallion and polygonal figures.  Start in the center of a multiple-point star pattern and follow one of the lines radiating outward until your eyes land upon a satellite star figure.  From there follow any of its lines and you’ll find yourself in the center of yet another multiple-point star pattern and on and on.  This subliminal sensation of movement is what gives the geometric designs their sense of life. Islamic art forbids figures or likenesses, so its artisans have focused on creating stunning graphic and geometric shapes and patterns.

In FURMAH series, Al Hamra contemporary art projects translate on canvas, reinterpreting it as geometric abstract painting, the most beautiful tile patterns of this traditional craftmanship.

For more information and other comments about this art collection to see the next post entries: FURMAH: a new painting series (October 30, 2013) and About AL HAMRA's artworks (November 19, 2013) or open in a new window the series catalogue by clicking on the link image, in the right column of the blog page.

Views of the exhibition art gallery:

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The Tile Fountains of Morocco

These tile fountains represent a traditional eleventh century Moorish technique in which handmade terra cotta tiles, called zillij, are cut and arranged. More than a thousand years later, Spaniards and North Africans continue to appreciate this technique in both indoor and outdoor locations for its beauty and ability to withstand variable weather conditions. In this post, we present a several domestic examples of these multicoloured tile fountains and their beautiful compositions.

In later years in Muslim Spain, or al-Andalus, zillij reached artistic heights that have never been surpassed, evident especially in the Alcazar and Alhambra palaces. The eventual expulsion of the Muslims from Spain in 1492 benefited al-Maghrib territories: It provided the cities with an influx not only of great craftsmen, but also a new class of patrons, who sustaining the art of zillij.

The Moroccan artisans or master craftsmen in ceramic mosaics, also knew in Arabic language as zlayji, meticulously arranged each piece to form circular, geometric patterns representing flowers and other plants. These geometric patterns reflect the Islamic belief that life is ordered by cosmic intelligence, even if people cannot always understand it. The abstract patterns reflect the Islamic desire to understand God’s creation through study rather than copy creation through representational art, which is shunned as a pathway to idolatry. Zillij patterns are constructed from archetypal shapes that have been refined by centuries of scientific study, artistic tradition, and religious belief.

In Morocco, zillij is used to decorate water fountains, home interiors, add architectural details, and cover tombs. It is rarely, if unsuccessfully, liberally applied to the exterior of buildings.

The main traditional colors used are black, white, green, blue, and yellow-ochre. The most common pattern is a coloured square, surrounded by black squares, surrounded by coloured squares, etc., with white in-between. There is always an alternation between dark colors (green and blue) and light (yellow).

Throughout the Moroccan old cities, from Fez to  Marrakesh, as example, the zillij work decorate otherwise blank walls and fountains with their small mosaic panels and narrow running bands, refracting the sunlight...

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