Agra in India was fascinating for the richness its array of geometric patterns on the buildings dating from its Islamic Mughal empire.
Other countries with Islamic citizens often feature geometric patterned tilework, like this wall in Marrekesh, Morocco.
A variation of this tile pattern in Toledo Spain, left over from the Moors that ruled southern Spain for 800 years.
Doaa Jamal, was commissioned by the Muslim Centre to create a mural for the Vancouver Mural Festival reflecting on being a Muslim artist in the city. Her mural, entitled ‘Why can’t they see us?’, draws on verses of the Quran that speak to the diversity of creation and utilizes a modern version of the traditional Kufic Arabic script.
Many of the flat roofs of Bundi in India contain similar geometric patterns that are like a maze or floorplan. Are they structural and go all the way down to the ground?
Moving to other countries, this richly-coloured hallway with doors lead through the Thorvaldsen Museum of Sculptures in Copenhagen, repeats a softer-coloured version of the walls using geometric tile patterns on the floors.
A checkered walkway leads up to an arched door in Rosario, Argentina.
The ‘Durian’ Arts Centre, an interesting angle on architecture on Singapore’s Inner Harbour.
Gridded door to the Casa Barragán in Mexico City. Barragán is considered one of the greatest architects in Mexico.
Silvery sheen of the Titanic Building in Belfast, Ireland UK. Is this supposed to represent the prow of a boat pushing its way through silvery icebergs?
Holland had a mass of geometric architecture, mostly modular and cubic often inspired by the artist Mondrian. This ‘Cube House’ is in Rotterdam, Holland.
Stairs almost always have a geometric element to them, like this stairway leading up to the bridge in Bilbao, Spain.
I was fascinated by the interlocking geometric shapes in this highrise tower in Hong Kong.
Brick wall of an old building next to a new building of glass and rust with the same triangular roof shape (Brussels, Belgium).
More of the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Geometric.
These are most excellent all together like this. The Argentina doorway is especially stunning. I’m yet to visit Morocco and I know I’d be in trouble there for not wishing to stop taking photos. I also love the Mexican door and the Moorish pattern.
All my Moroccan photos were taken back in the days of film – I hate to think what I would do there with digital!
Terrific selection Elizabeth – I liked your interpretation of the Titanic building. I must admit I couldn’t figure that one out.
It was only that angle that made me think that way, especially as I had spent time outside on the large park area that contained an outline of the floor plan of the ship…
Great post! Wonderful examples.
I find it fun to look through old photos and look for things that I’ve never looked for before – when I put them together there’s often revelations – in this post it was the Islamic geometric art that particularly struck me…