Capturing the Aesthetics of Light and Shadow in Islamic Architecture from Photography into Woven Jacquard Hangings

Abo Elazm Abd Elmged Elkalshy, Eman; Zaher Goda, Eman

doi:10.21608/aaj.2025.344629.1084

Capturing the Aesthetics of Light and Shadow in Islamic Architecture from Photography into Woven Jacquard Hangings

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer in Department of Photography, cinema and Television Faculty of Applied Arts Helwan University – Egypt

² Lecturer in Department of Spinning and Weaving Faculty of Applied Arts Helwan University – Egypt

10.21608/aaj.2025.344629.1084

Abstract

The world's visual perception is light. It is a key factor in architecture desig, and the meaning of light and shadow is related to aesthetic perception and has a crucial responsibility in enhancing the quality of the architectural space, especially in Islamic architecture, as light gives the spaces of architectural structures a sense of life. This research paper answers a main question: Studying the aesthetic aspects of light and shadow in Islamic architecture captured through photography and translating these expressions into woven textile hangings using the jacquard technique, with investigating how well the produced fabrics replicate the original photos, and their ability to transfer the same feelings and visual effects. Six woven samples were produced in this research using the jacquard technique, representing the original photographic images that were captured. Then The evaluation of the jacquard samples was conducted using a questionnaire to measure their ability to simulate the effects of light and shadow in the original photos in terms of depth, texture and visual impact. The results showed that the research fabric samples successfully recreated an illusion of depth and the same visual effects through light and shadow like that were felt in the captured photos. This research depends on the descriptive analytical approach methodology in the theoretical study and the experimental and analytical approach in the practical study. This work provides valuable insights into textile design in collaboration with the field of photography, where visual depth and artistic effects are important, like in decorative fabrics or textile hangings.

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