Dr. Serap Ekizler Sönmez said that geometric patterns applied in Islamic architecture are a multidisciplinary field.
Stating that this field has a wider range in Islamic history and arts than it seems, Sönmez said:
“The reasons for the geometric patterns, of which we have seen countless examples in almost every century and every geography throughout history, almost pushing the boundaries of geometry in some periods, and the question ‘Why have so many and such complex designs been created?’ “When you try to find the answer to the question, your path turns to the history of science and the history of thought. From this point of view, the context of the history of science of geometric patterns is as important as the context of the history of architecture and art.”
Sönmez stated that conferences and training-oriented workshops were held for 3 days within the scope of the workshop. “Our professors Prof. Dr. İhsan Fazlıoğlu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Baga discussed the subject especially in the context of the history of geometry and history of science, and our teacher Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç discussed the subject in the context of Sufism.” made his assessment.
Sönmez stated that after the conference series, workshops were held for two days with a group of selected students. “While building geometry patterns in these workshops, we tried to explain to our students how important the ruler and compass construction, that is, Euclidean geometry, is, in the Ottoman context, but of course in a comparative way, together with the geometric patterns in Safavid works.” he said.
About the workshop
Prof. Dr. İhsan Fazlıoğlu, Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, Assoc. Dr. Elif Baga, Dr. In the workshop held with the participation of Serap Ekizler Sönmez and Iranian master architect Saeid Shakouri, “geometric patterns” were discussed from the perspectives of art and art history as well as the history of science and wise thought.
Training sessions on the structure of geometric patterns in Ottoman architecture and the differences between Safavid and Mughal geometric patterns were also held at the workshop.
The event, organized under the title “Geometric Patterns in Ottoman Works on the Axis of Architecture and Craft” as an activity of the International School of Geometry and Art, was implemented with the support of Istanbul Technical University, TSA Travel, Deen Arts Foundation, Brandcom Group and Stil Ahmet.