Материал: Russian Journal of Building Construction and Architecture

2. Light and transparency in Islamic Iranian architecture

What descends from the sky to the earth is light. This is the same Islamic thought that has immortalized our architecture throughout the history, has aligned with our architecture, and spiritualized our architectural atmosphere.

In Islamic Iranian architecture, light has been represented different from other art works, as if the expressive language of Muslim artist has utilized special codes in his narrations of the universe. Art is one of the ways of gaining knowledge on the universe. In fact, identifying various aspects of universe is not possible, except through observing (Nour Bakhsh, 2005, pp. 40––41). In addition, whatever does not prevent penetration of light is transparency. According to Mirmiran, transparency is one of the principles dominating the universe, and he knows of it as the permanent motion and evolution of the universe from the material quality to the spiritual quality. According to him, the global architecture has also been developed consistent with the principle of transparency (Mirmiran, 2000). Besides having a role in brightening inside the building, light is connected with Islamic architecture decorations. Iran Architectural decoration of all times is indicative of light and joy regardless of its accuracy and delicacy. Islamic artist uses some elements in decoration of buildings to be able to fulfill his lightening purpose, like using Muqarnas that is a sort of absorbing and scattering light in accurate and narrow degrees. Even, using special colors is effective in lightening the building. Scholars know of light as a mystic symbol and believe that a Muslim architect tries to apply and shape any material, so that light reflection and vibration affect it. In addition, light displays other decorative elements better and gives life to projects (Gorgani, seventh century, p. 49). In Islam, due to absolute presence of God, the principle of Islamic architecture manifestation is thinking about applying some designs and materials that reflect the most important symbol of manifestation, because application of idea and material in this worldview is the application of reflection, not originality. Therefore, a building must be the manifestation symbol of the absolute light of heaven and earth that is the only real existence. "God is the light of heavens and earth" (the Holy Quran, Noor chapter, 25). As the Islamic art is linked with the heavenly world, the element of light is treated as an allegory of the absolute existence manifestation (Maddad Pour, 2012, 279). In its manifestation, light in architecture is a like the symbol of divine presence and wisdom. Moreover, light is the spiritual substance that penetrates into the concentration of material, and changes it to a noble and worthy form that is a suitable place for human ego. The ego has capability to grow and root in the world of light. The role of light is clearing material and reducing stiffness and coldness of the holy architecture, so that it can be a shelter such as heart for the human spirit captured inside the heart of a material.

101

Russian journal of building construction and architecture

Table 1

Symbolic conclusion of light in Iranian Islamic architecture

An allegorical manifestation of the Absolute presence A symbol of God's presence and wisdom

Like the spiritual essence Mystical symbol

The spiritual dimension of mosque building (Outlined by the author)

2-1. Lightwell elements and light controllers in traditional architecture of Iran

Light gives dynamic qualities to Islamic architectural decorations, and draws figures and designs into time. Light and shadow create severe contrasts, texture for painted stones and plaster and brick surfaces. Light passes through wooden Mashrabiyas, plaster and marble walls, painted glasses of windows, and it reveals the designs on the back and interior surfaces. It also creates a temporal and variable coverage by colors and shadows. These elements are studied in the traditional architecture of Iran from two perspectives. The first group is the controllers of light like types of awning, and the second group is lightwells. The first group adjusts the light entering the building and it is divided into two categories: those, which area part of building such as porch, and those added to building and considered decorative such as curtain. The elements proposed as light wells have different names but they are all light wells, including: vent, Shabak, latticed door and window, Jam Khaneh, Horno, sash window, Rowshandan, Freezokhoon, Goljam, Palkaneh, Fenzer, Pajang, and Tehrani. In contrast, there are some elements, such as the porch, curtain, sunshade, awning, and penthouse that control and adjust the light entering the building (Gorgani, 706, p. 49––50).

2-2. Analysis of representation of traditional architecture of Iran utilizing the nature of light

By passing through transparent and reflective surfaces, light can have a great effect on spatial sense, and it can display itself as the most vital element of architecture (Mayes, 2006, p. 258). Light not only determines the boundaries of spaces in Islamic architecture, but also provides the possible emergence of white solid buildings that are reflective of desert purity, and elimination of multiplicities in the sight of the unique God by the commandment of "there is not God, but Allah". Meanwhile, using colorful structures makes the expression of heaven moods on the earth possible. If while is a symbol of indeterminate unity, colors that are derived from

102

light are symbols of expression of unity in diversity and dependence of diversity on unity. Each color is a symbol of any status of light, and the light itself, while light is not restricted to that special color (Muhammadi, 2015, p. 7). Using porous surfaces and creating artistic highlights on the surface can create a sense of lightness and belonging. Moreover, shadows make delicate textures on surfaces, and motion is a tool for understanding the space. Its presence in architecture for creating space and comprehending space owes to the factor of motion. By creating dynamism and fluidity, light creates the sense of motion. In space, the observing eyes move and understand the space; and this change will be felt only when its source is a phenomenon that is understandable and time shows itself in space (Mayes, 2008, p. 258). In the Iranian architectural space, the hierarchy of light and darkness has been carefully used in the direction of motion and guidance from one space to another. In the hierarchy, the intensity of light and dark in spaces determine their significance.

The sequence of light and darkness is a talented means to actualize the spatial arrangement. Energetic, light, attractive, and expanding sections come closer to us, and vice versa, dark, silent, and devoid of energy spots are contracted in a sleepy tranquility. However, presence of each dark spot increases our thirst for getting to the nest light spot. An architect looks at spaces not just as a series of spatial events, but also as various lighting. By changing light, the still and tied up building will revive. Natural light has the properties of motion, being different, sequence and changes in moments naturally, that leads to motion, and mode changes in different times. In the Schultz's theory of universe space, the most fundamental section is a discussion of the relation of human and environment perception, their attitude to the environment. Based on this, the criteria for viewing the universal space and architecture have been raised, and other parts of work have been organized. Schultz calls these relations as symmetry, related distinctions, sequencing, internal and external sequencing, and continuity (Memarian, 2008, p. 326).

Table 2

Effect of light on some of Islamic architecture elements

Space Has a great effect on spatial sense Creation of space Comprehension of space Actualizing spatial arrangement

Hierarchy of light and darkness in the direction of motion and guidance of spaces Intensity of light and darkness in the spatial significance

103

(Outlined by the author)

3. The position of light manifestation in Iranian Islamic architecture 3-1. Mosque

The first position of Iranian Islamic art manifestation is the architecture of mosques, where is a place and space to connect to the Light of Lights. In fact, here, the real meaning of architecture that is (architecture is the art of arranging space) will be revealed (Abbasi, Noushadi, 2013, p. 6). If white is the symbol of indeterminate unity, the colors obtained from the sun are symbols of expression of unity in diversity and dependence of diversity on unity. Each color is a symbol of any states of light and the light itself, without the light being restricted to that special color (Muhammadi, 2015, p. 7). Mosque is one of the spaces where its spiritual dimension is shown by means of light, shadow, and decorations (Saadat, 2014, p. 4). In the Islamic architecture book, Robert Halen Brand knows mosque as the display of all Islamic architecture secrets and the heart of this architecture. Moreover, he believes that " from the beginning, its symbolic role was comprehended by Muslims and the role played its share in creation of appropriate visual indicators for the building among which domes, minarets and pulpit can be mentioned" (Rahbarnia, Roubahani, 2015, p. 4). Making use of natural light element is one of the ways of showing feelings, the one that is transferred from the designer or creator to the observer. In addition, concepts like sense of presence, motion, concentration etc. can be transferred through blurs and lights without verbal communication and direct relationship, and make more focus. Moreover, that is exactly what the creator of Iranian Mosque is correctly aware of (Bemanian, Aali Nasab, 2009, p. 11). The main part of lighting of mosque is from the apertures of dome chamber. In the present study, has surveyed the evolution of lighting from dome chambers. However, it is important to note that although the evolution process of domes, the science, and technique to achieve such geometry by Islamic architec-

104

tures is admirable, the most valuable concept lying in the long-term process of accessing to the knowledge of building is the "objective" of liking to the creator in the holy places as well as liking with light. It has also been assisted by expression and embodiment of the Creator. In his book, without raising the issue in vague aura, God has directly stated "God is the light of heavens and earth". Furthermore, the Islamic architecture whose source of art is Islam, the divine religion, has fulfilled this divine revelation by unity in maintain light in buildings, and has enjoyed the presence of God.

Table 3

Using the element of natural light in a mosque

Display of spiritual dimension in a mosque by some tools like light play, shadow, and decorations Methods of showing feelings, sense of presence, motion, focus, …

White light and the color made by it are a display of unity in diversity and dependence of diversity on unity Transferred by blurs and lights without verbal communication and any direct relation and more concentration Natural light has the properties of motion, being different, sequence and changes in moments naturally, which leads to motion and mode changes in different times

(Outlined by the author)

3-2. Dome chamber

The most important part of theism house (mosque), like a stone sitting on a ring, is dome chamber and the real meaning of mosque has been borrowed from it. Dome chamber is placed in the main axis of mosque that is a monumentlike structure, and is high (Gholamreza Kiani, p. 148). The dome is the secret of unity between the sky and earth in which the rectangular shape of structure corresponds with earth, and the circular dome aligns with sky. In the other term, Muslim architectures have imagined belonging to the soil with a square structure, which is a sign of endurance and stability belonging to the sky with a round, and circular dome, which is a sign of being drawn into divine thought (Muhammadi, 2015, p. 6). This simple building is independent and free. In the evolution of domes, besides considering technical principles and regulations regarding stability issues of the structure, the political and religious roots have also been important. For instance, in Safavid era, the plan and design of mosque dome is dodecagon that makes it different from other buildings in the Safavid period. Back then, one of the authority bases on Safavid that was founded on the basis of Twelver Shi'ism and considered the most important factor in religious and ideological issues of them heavily tried to advertise and promote it. At this time, number twelve that was a reminder of the twelve Imams of the Shia, and had a significant importance among Shiites was considered as the reference number. On this basis,

105