Fragment No. 53

Such a pleasure to be invited to participate in the project “CulturalxCollabs – Weaving The Future”, an initiative of the Museum for Islamic Art at the Pergamon Museum (Museum für Islamische Kunst) in Berlin. A month ago I received Carpet Fragment #53/100, and the story began to evolve..

Part I of my story is called ‘The Alchemy of Fire’ because it focusses on Negredo, the first stage in the alchemical process, in this case the blackening of the carpet by a fire bomb during WWII. From this blackened weave emerge the germs of light and renewal that transform into a rich tapestry of individual stories and images. Mine is a story that weaves together threads of history, heritage, culture, symbolism, geometric art and local design traditions. In alchemy, the dragon often appears as the Ouroboros, a serpent devouring its tail, symbolizing cycles of transformation, renewal, and the unity of opposites. The power of authentic art and craft practice is that it breathes new life into ancient traditions and connects individuals and their communities around the globe.

As a geometer-artist-poet with a passion for traditional compass and straightedge drawing and painting (in watercolour) of historical designs found in the Islamicate world, the design chosen for my artwork is a brickwork mosaic in the XIV-century Jameh Mosque of Varamin, some 1500 km north of the Caucusus.

With thanks to Aslam Qureshi for sharing his analysis of this pattern, here pictured (left) during renovations at the Jameh Mosque of Varamin, Iran.

Following their conversion to Islam, the Ilkhanids built numerous mosques and Sufi shrines in cities across Iran. After the death of the last Ilkhanid ruler of the united dynasty in 1335, the empire disintegrated, and a number of local dynasties came to power in Iraq and Iran which continued to emulate the style set by the Ilkhanid masters.

The reason I chose this pattern is because Varamin is famous for its distinct rugs, each piece being a unique blend of tradition and craftsmanship. First-hand accounts from local weavers suggest that the motifs are not merely decorative, but a form of storytelling. Each rug is a woven narrative, depicting tales of life, nature, and the deeply held beliefs of the weaver. The intricate designs and high-quality materials used in Varamin rugs are a testament to the region's rich heritage and the skill of its weavers.