Sharjah Pavilion by Josh Haywood

A striking gateway to the event, the 'Sharjah Pavilion' by Josh Haywood embodies the blend of traditional and modern Islamic design that is presented across the Festival.

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 and Information has organised the 19th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival.

The Sharjah Pavilion, as a visually striking installation, combines beauty, spirituality and functionality. The sacred geometry and intricate framework provide shade and shelter. Soaring vaulted ribs draw the gaze heavenward and uplift the spirit while the sunlight filters through the symmetrical motifs of the tessellated canopy. Observing the patterns is overwhelmed by feeling of infinity and spirituality.

The installation is made of plywood and stands on four pillars. The roof top is straight but when walking around the installation one can have a feeling it is tilted to one side as seen on photographs. The intricate pattern is rising from each pillar and then combining in the center, so each four sides look symmetrical yet when you see them from different angle they look different.

'Sharjah Pavilion' by Josh Haywood, visitors at the opening of the pavilion / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

'Sharjah Pavilion' by Josh Haywood / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

As a part of the 19th Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, the 'Sharjah Pavilion' is on view at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre until January 24, 2016.

Josh Haywood / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Josh Haywood graduated from the University of Westminster; he is an internationally established architect and artist specializing in parametric design and digital fabrication. He created several installations for the Burning Man Art Festival and founded 'Hylemo' an architecture and design studio as a platform to bring digitally designed pavilions and art installations to events and environments across the globe.

Group photo at the opening of the exhibition, Farah Qassim Mohammed, Islamic Arts Festival Executive with the participating artists, guests and members of media / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

The 19th Edition of Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival presents 64 participating artists, 232 artworks all together 364 activities in the form of exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. More than 20 organisations assisted in the coordination of the festival projects. There are 42 exhibitions, of which 34 at the Sharjah Art Museum, presenting works of artists from 21 countries. From the eight parallel exhibitions, three are exhibited at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Al Noor Island, and the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Sharjah. The Al Majaz Waterfront hosts two exhibitions, and Calligraphy Square hosts three exhibitions.

The Festival will run until January 24, 2016.