Drawing Retreat

Geometry & Arabesque

Dar Al Islam ~ 342 Co Rd 155, Abiquiu, NM 87510, United States

Special 4 day program at the stunning Dar Al Islam in the remote wilds of New Mexico. The event includes a series of distinct but complementary practical classes and lectures, participants are welcome to take one or all the sessions.

Facilitated by Adam Williamson Tutors: John Martineau, Adam Tetlow, Aloria Weaver, David Heskin, Ricardo Hinojosa and Christopher Riederer. Local catering by Kohinoor- Rehana Archuletta and local Sufi musical performance and campfire ceramic project.

“Straight is the line of duty, and curved is the line of beauty.” Hasan Fathy

The event will take place in the remote and spectacular wilds of New Mexico, within stunning vaulted adobe complex built by the famous Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy. Located next to Georgia O’keeffe’s studio ‘Ghost Ranch’.

Accommodation options are single sex- four bed dorm within the vaulted adobe complex, on a first come first serve basis. Classes take place within the main hall, all course materials and equipment will be provided. Those signing up for the full programme receive a discount. More detail will be sent after registration.

Option 1: Register for the full programme with catering and accommodation ~ 4 nights,  Thursday afternoon – Monday morning ~ 

Option 2: Register for the full workshop programme & catering (without accommodation)~ 

Option 3: Register for the full workshop programme only (without accommodation and catering)~

Option 4: Signup for Individual classes ~ $60 per session

(choose from the classes listed below)

Bringing partners and family Participants are welcome to bring a (non participating) partner/family and they can relax on campus and join the group for meal times. The site is very remote so recommended to secure catering for partner via this link. Book catering only – all meals for 3.5 days . If joining with a partner check with us if the private rooms are still available or book in them into a door- Book Accommodation and catering only – 4 days or book an airbnbclose to the venue.

Programme overview

DAY 1 ~ Thursday, 

3&5pm – Arrival. 5pm – Refreshments, orientation and introductions

6 – 8.30pm

Introduction to Sacred and Ornamental Pattern

Adam Williamson

Using the traditional tools of compass and straight edge we will a create a traditional geometric rosette and explore principles of tessellation.

Within the decorative canon of Islamic art, there are two interrelated modes of pattern: geometric and biomorphic, also known as arabesque. Geometry provides the underlying structure over which biomorphic patterns grow. Biomorphic patterns are visual crystallisations of movement, abstract depictions of the vital, dynamic life-force of Nature, which every culture around our spherical globe expresses visually using the shapes and materials most intuitive to them. These shapes describe the cycles inherent in the natural world, from the microscopic to the macroscopic: protons and neutrons spinning around an atom; sound vibrations passing through air; the uncurling of leaves on a fern; the whorls of fingerprints; the growth rings in trees, the currents that swirl the oceans; and the expansion of galaxies. In classical sacred art, symmetry exemplifies perfection and unity as reflections of divine qualities. The act of drawing can thus be undertaken as a meditation upon this harmony in the multiple orders of Nature.

DAY 2 ~ Friday, 

9.30am – 1 pm 

Introduction to Sacred Geometry Aloria Weaver and David Heskin

The Joyous Cosmology; An Introduction to Sacred Geometry The transcendental geometric domain may be glimpsed through the creative act of contemplative practice, using only the ancient geometer’s tools. The manifest natural world we inhabit continually exhibits geometric tendencies, ever striving toward the perfection of the ideal while never quite arriving. A universal human impulse to commune with the higher realms has given rise to magnificent works of sacred art and architecture worldwide, in the form of geometric symbolism that permeates and enriches our biological existence, bringing cosmic proportion down to earth. This relationship between the ideal and the material provides a continual anchor for a meditative geometric practice that proceeds from a single inherent point of creation toward ever-increasing complexity. Through a developing series of functions using compass and straight edge, we will unfold a series of principles that are echoed in diverse examples of traditional sacred architecture. This session emphasizes the geometer’s state of mind as an instrumental element in the creation of our drawings. We’ll examine and recreate exemplars of timeless beauty, aiming to behold their mysteries and contained geometric metaphors, partaking of the eternal as it is conveyed through the temporal.

2 – 5pm Introduction to Paper folding Patterns

Ricardo Hinojosa

Paper folding brings out qualities of spatial texture to the forefront via the magic of interchanging states; valley and mountain, yin and yang, off and on. The characters of interaction dancing in an endless, yet comprehensive variety of ways exhibit how nature converges.

Space is inherent with rich meaning and mathematical significance. To fold is to play a game with space, a game where space resolves itself invariably. Therein lay aspects relating the phenomena of space which can be used to favor our creative ambitions. If the material folds, it can follow the same principles as other folded materials. This is the bane and boon of the folding artist; figuring out how to project an idea on paper to ceramics, wood or metal, to name some common materials.

Folding is a consultation of God´s solutions. Laws, axioms and theorems exist to describe the differences between what is possible and what can be thought up. Take Islamic Patterns for example; we can use folds on the page as a tool, a way to mechanize space and turn it into an augmented compass, straightedge, protractor and T-ruler all in one. Through this lens we can virtually construct most any pattern in the Islamic Geometric Pattern canon. This is the task I will take on in the workshop: to empower you with this vision so that you too can fold patterns of many kinds and realize how much these are effectively Sacred Geometry.

7-8pm

The Harmony of the Spheres John Martineau

Since antiquity philosophers have pondered the idea that the planets hid important harmonic and geometrical relationships. In this In this talk, international publisher and author John Martineau will explore the geometry and harmony of our own solar system, and that of some recently discovered exoplanetary systems too

John Martineau is the publisher of the international award-winning Wooden Books pocket series. He is also the author of “A Little Book of Coincidence in the Solar System”. He is currently writing a larger book about the the cosmological fine-tuning problem.

9pm Optional – Informal Paper folding Patterns hangout Ricardo Hinojosa

DAY 3 ~ Saturday, 7th September 2024.

9.30am – 1 pm

Arabesque Patterns

Adam Williamson

Biomorphic designs are structured around a spiral from which the motifs and leaves sprout. The curvilinear forms are created using a combination of straightedge, compass, and freehand drawing. The movement of nature inspires this unbroken spiral flow. There are no hard corners; the curves are sweeping and gentle. As the spiral advances, it radiates secondary spirals, which in turn radiate others, and soon the page is alive with movement. The spiral progresses from its source like a plant from a seed growing towards the light. This centrifugal movement reflects the progression of creation, moving toward infinity.

2 – 5pm

Celtic Patterns

Adam Tetlow

Celtic pattern is rooted in the practice of traditional geometry. The three styles of knotwork, key patterns, and interlocking spiral motifs blend a geometrical underpinning with freehand ornament. Join artist Adam Tetlow and author of Celtic Pattern: Visual Rhythms of the Ancient Mind to draw some intricate and beautiful examples of these ancient styles.

7pm, Informal painting ceramic tiles with Fabiola De la Cueva

8pm, Fire ceramics in campo fire. 

8.30pm, Live Sufi Music with local musicians  

DAY 4 ~ Sunday, 8th September 2024.

9.30am – 1 pm

Geometric Persian Pattern

Adam Williamson

This session will focus on building patterns from medieval Persia and 5&10-fold symmetry.

2 – 5pm Arabesque Patterns Christopher Riederer

-Deciphering Biomorphic Design Language-

In this session students will engage with the core principles of biomorphic design to analyze, understand, and express creatively within a specific biomorphic design language. Together we will reverse engineer an historical pattern, deconstruct and isolate its constituent parts, put it back together, and finally create an original pattern that sits comfortably within the traditional design language. Using the historical example as a foil, we will utilize geometric and freehand techniques to explore the subtle curves, spirals, and motifs that define a specific biomorphic design system. Students will be introduced to the complex process of analyzing an existing pattern and guided through the steps to re–create the pattern from first principles. Using what we learn from the pattern, and our understanding of the principles of biomorphism, we will endeavor to create original designs inspired by the traditional example. This is an advanced skillset that cannot be mastered in a day, but with practice, this process can open up the world of pattern to an interested artist. It is my hope to provide the students with tools and processes that can assist them on their individual creative journeys into the wild world of Biomorphic design. All materials will be provided, but bring along your sketchbook, tracing paper, and favorite drawing tools if you have them.

7pm – group sunset walk to Plaza Blanca

9pm – Outdoor talk, Stars – John Martineau

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DAY 5 ~ Monday, 9th September 2024.

Breakfast 

10am *Course ends*

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Details on inquiry: islamicpattern@gmail.com

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Using the traditional tools of compass and straight edge we will re-create a beautiful pattern from a different part of the Islamic world. By working with designs of progressive complexity students develop a solid grounding in the language of symmetry in Islamic Art. As the course progresses, students are also introduced to the principles of free-hand biomorphic design (also known as Islimi/Arabesque) and learn to integrate these more fluid designs with geometric pattern. The practical work is supplemented by a contextual slide lectures and student receives a comprehensive series of handouts detailing the steps undertaken to re-create each pattern.