Using Christopher Alexander's Fifteen Properties of Art and Nature to Visually Compare and Contrast the Tessellations of Mirza Akbar

Abstract

When one looks closely at the tessellations designed by Mirza Akbar in the early nineteenth century there are many overlapping structures interacting with one another. The complex structure of these tessellations results from the horizontal, diagonal, and radial grids that were used to construct the tessellations. This paper will discuss how Mirza Akbar constructed two of his tessellations and why star shapes embedded in complex symmetrical patterns are important in Islamic culture, and will then test the usefulness of Christopher Alexander's fifteen properties of art and nature as an additional method of comparing and contrasting the visual characteristics of these tessellations. The fifteen properties are levels of scale, strong centers, boundaries, alternating repetition, positive space, good shape, local symmetries, deep interlock and ambiguity, contrast, gradients, roughness, echoes, the void, simplicity and inner calm, and not separateness. © 2012 Kim Williams Books, Turin.