Arabesque Design & Geometry of Structure

Project Leaders: 

Simon Trethewey graduated from the RCA in 1988 and completed a 3 year fellowship with the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Ahmedabad, India, in 1993. He has exhibited his work with the British Council in India, as well as having exhibitions in the UK.

Jonathan Horning graduated from the RCA with a Master’s degree in architectural ceramics and glass in 1983. He also practises as a carpenter/builder with a great interest in indigenous dwellings that are bound together with natural cordage.

Amber Khokhar graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design from Central Saint Martin’s School of Art in 1987 and an MA in Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts at The Prince’s School of Traditional Art in 2005. She is an experienced teacher who has taught at Hampton Court Palace, Whitechapel Mosque, British Museum, Islamia Girls School, V & A, Shakespeare’s Globe, Ismaili Centre and many other venues. She is also a practicing artist with a studio at Cockpit Arts.

Aims of the Project

You will gain a practical understanding of the spatial order underlying natural forms and to increase your confidence in the application of this knowledge in your personal work.

Group size

7-8 students from RCA & 7-8 students from The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.

Timetable : Geometry of Structure

Tuesday

  • 9 30 – 10 am Welcome and Introductions
  • 10 – 10 45 Illustrated power point talk
  • 10 45 am – 1 pm Simple stick models
  • 1 – 2 pm Lunch break
  • 2 – 5 pm Stick models constructing Platonic and Archimedean solids and space frames.

Wednesday

  • 9 30 am – 1 pm Drawing nets for plain model making.
  • 1 – 2 pm Lunch break
  • 2 – 5 pm Constructing card models of various types of polyhedra with some exploration of close packing. Depending on time and space available, the exploration of a larger scale geodesic construction.

Timetable:Arabesque Design

Tuesday

  • 9 30 – 10 am Welcome and Introductions
  • 10 – 10 45 Illustrated power point talk
  • 10 45 am – 1 pm Geometrical analysis of flowers and observational work from nature
  • 1 – 2 pm Lunch break
  • 2 – 5 pm Analysis and development of arabesque design

Wednesday

  • 9 30 am – 1 pm Finishing and pouncing the design drawing
  • 1 – 2 pm Lunch break
  • 2 – 5 pm Under glaze painting onto plate (plates to be fired and delivered to the RCA later)

Thursday & Friday

  • Two groups to swap classes.

Materials to Bring

You need to bring with you a compass (Jakar is a good brand with at least 15cm leg), pencil 2H or HB, ruler 12”, eraser, pad of A3 smooth paper 150 gms and a biro with a note taking pad.