Header: Elements of Design

~Orientalism~

In 1717, the publication of a French translation of the Arabian Nights fascinated Western Europeans with its erotic setting and its tales of intrigue in the secluded seraglio of the Ottoman Sultan. At the same time, Orientalism was an important field of intellectual studies and it soon developed into a major trend in art, fashion, architecture, and literature. In 1885, Sir Richard Burton's ten volume translation of the Arabian Nights was published during the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. Over time, European perceptions of the Islamic world were based on its perceived negative contrast to the modern West. Edward Said describes how the early Orientalists' professional scientific study of the East was transformed into an "instrument of policy" and "a code by which Europe could interpret both itself and the Orient to itself." Said wrote:

What I am describing is something that will characterize Islamic Orientalism until the present day; its retrogressive position when compared with the other human sciences ... its general methodological and ideological back-wardness, and its comparative insularity from developments both in the other humanities and in the real world of historical, economic, social, and political circumstance.1

In spite of the negative elements of Orientalism, Islamic art and architecture were highly regarded in the West. Its unique designs and patterns were found as decorative objects in private homes and as valuable additions to private art collections. Equally popular were European paintings and photographs of numerous Islamic sites as well as scenes of harems and slave markets.

~Art History of the Islamic World~

In contrast to the West, the Islamic world uses less figural imagery and relies on geometric, floral, and arabesque designs as well as Arabic calligraphy in its decorative arts. Calligraphy is one of the most important art forms in the Islamic world, particularly in the Qur'an. In these examples, calligraphy is used to represent the most important text of Islam, the revelations of God to Muhammad, and to present those revelations in beautiful elegant script. In the Qur'an, the choice of script, spacing, and design are carefully planned and organized.

~Typography~

In a website focused on the Art of the Islamic World ornate styles of typography from the 19th Century could be used for headings or as a single letter to start each paragraph. However, since Islamic art and calligraphy are often densely patterned and decorated I chose Georgia font for the final project text. This style is legible, easy to read, and will not visually compete with the dense patterns found in Islamic art and architecture displayed on the site.

 

Endnotes.

1Edward Said. Orientalism.Vintage Books, 1989.