Regularity

Can regularity be boring? 

It can be, but it depends on the context as well. Patterns are a form of regular geometric shapes, due to their repetition.

What I noticed instantly, when I arrived in Abu Dhabi (when transferring to China where I'm currently at as part of a school project) was the large amount of patterns. The patterns are used graphically or architecturally. They are commonly used in different objects. The patterns weren’t boring at all, because of their beautiful decoration. It gave me the feeling that those daily objects were carefully designed.

Let me give a few illustrated examples:

• The patterns at the airport help to integrate the wayfinding design which normally has to stand out. The airport of Abu Dhabi combines the patterns both on the signage and in the architecture.
• From a distance, the traffic posts provide the functional guidance of traffic lights. But when pedestrians walk by the traffic post, they can recognise the pattern.
• A house number was not only functional, but has the same pattern as the traffic post. The pattern is becoming a subtle representation of the city.
• The authorised taxis have their own pattern printed as a band on the taxi. Compared with the cabs from New York, isn’t this more fitting the context?

Whether I was outside on the street, or seeing home decoration, patterns became for me an essential part of the Arabic culture. I grew up in Europe, where patterns don’t play an important role. So to understand the importance about the role of patterns, I found some information.

The Arab culture is mainly based on the Islamic culture with the Qur’an which states that God can not be imagined. But it was mixed with Turkish and Mongols after the reconstruction in the 13th century. The revival of the Sunni culture became an identifying mark of the Islamic culture. Instead of representation of persons, the islamic art is based on calligraphy and patterns. But the patterns are free from any symbolic meaning. They try to be abstract and are trying to evoke a sense of beauty to free and stimulate the intellect.

For sure, I have experienced the beauty of those patterns in this city. To me, they complemented the barren environment with its rich culture. The patterns can add a lot of value, without distracting from the real world. 

I discovered this world during this one day transfer. It was my first experience with the Arab culture, but it surprised me right away. The designs are so powerful, although they just seem so regular.