SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL (DEC 13, 2017 - JAN 23, 2018) Transparent Muqarnas by Cristina Parreno

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organised the 20th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival.

The installation 'Transparent Muqarnas' by Cristina Parreno is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi at the opening of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF) 2017/18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Through her research 'Tectonics of Transparency' Cristina Parreno has been interested in the intersection between art and architecture exploring non-conventional assemblies of materials, and investigating how light and transparency can bring new effects in the user communities and new forms of cultural and social exchange. 'Transparent Muqarnas' belongs to the series 'Tectonics of Transparency'. With the use of transparency Parreño investigates how relevant architectural elements of diverse cultures can be reinterpreted. The solid and stable structure gives the appearance of fragility and lightness. The artist reinterprets muqarnas, a key component of Islamic Art and Architecture. In her installation the Muqarnas is comprised of stalactite vaults that generate a transition in a variety of architectural structures through a three-dimensional version of the geometrical Islamic patterns. The form of muqarnas is simplified, and a simple honeycomb pattern is extruded to become the three-dimensional structure of a dome.

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, SIAF-2017-18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, SIAF-2017-18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, SIAF-2017-18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, SIAF-2017-18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreno, Transparent Muqarnas, SIAF-2017-18 / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Cristina Parreño Alonso is a Lecturer in The School of Architecture and Planning at MIT since 2010. She holds a Masters and Bachelor degree in Architecture from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (ETSAM). She is a licensed architect in Spain and UK, with ten years of professional experience working in Madrid and London. Some of the projects she has been responsible as project Director with FOA include: Hotel MASAVEU in Gijon; Ravensbourne, College of Media and Design in London and the Forensic Institute for el Campus de la Justicia de Madrid which she also oversaw on site.

In 2009, she founded Cristina Parreño Architecture. She has won several architectural competitions, among others, the 1st prize for the Urban Rehabilitation of the Business complex AZCA in Madrid, Award for the Housing Competition for Young Architects J5 in Andalusia; Award for the National Library of Slovenia, and 1st prize for the Hall of the International Art Exhibition ARCO 2013.

The 20th edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF) presented many exhibitions and large scale installations at the Sharjah Art Museum, and at other venues such as Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Awqaf Department, Al Qasba, Maraya Art Centre, and Calligraphy Square.