ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL IN SHARJAH (DEC 16 - JAN 16, 2016) Mesmerizing Laser Cut Sculptures ‘HYBYCOZO’ by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Islamic Arts Festival is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and organized by Department of Culture & Information, Sharjah. 'Light', this year's theme of Islamic Arts Festival in Sharjah, aims to show the depth and importance of Islamic Arts by presenting a contemporary interpretation of the concept.

As part of Islamic Arts Festival a series of laser cut sculptures are on view in Sharjah at Al Majaz Water Front. The artists explain that "the project is inspired by the intersection of science, technology, maker culture, and of course, the artists’ favorite book, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. HYBYCOZO was created to take a passion for design, technology, geometry, and installation art to the next level through thought provoking objects."

Both artists experienced a thrilling journey that sparked their love of geometric patterns and art, to discover the influences of geometry on human culture, the interconnection between Islamic patterns and contemporary physics. The appearance of beauty within naturally occurring harmonic relationships and patterns in the natural world led to the real turning point, to understand these aesthetic influences and then being able to build those forms in 3D. HYBYCOZO thrives at Islamic Arts Festival in Sharjah becoming a part of landscape elements. The changing light coming through the steel is mesmerizing and captivating. Each of the small pieces are over 180 cm tall and weigh over 272 kg. They operate intelligent LED lighting. 'Deep Thought', the largest sculpture, is 426 cm tall, 487 cm across, and weighs over 1134 kg.

Highlights

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

'HYBYCOZO' by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Yelena Filipchuk is an environmental scientist by trade and spent years studying natural patterns and bio-mimicry. Yelena currently lives in San Francisco developing her craft and growing her practice as an artist, entrepreneur, and educator.

Serge Beaulieu is a veteran Industrial Designer, graphic artist, and maker. Having spent a decade at numerous design studios, Serge put aside industrial design to explore art and sculpture and hasn't looked back. A native of Canada, Serge now resides in the Bay Area exploring the wonders of geometry.

Islamic Arts Festival is open until January 16, 2016.