Quite often, people ask themselves: what is arabesque? It would be easy enough to explain if there was only one definition. But this is not so. Under the same word lie different concepts from various fields. Of course, the main definition is related to the pattern. But what else is it? Let's consider.
Ornament
In order to understand the traditions of a nation, you need to know its cultural heritage. One of the most ancient traditions of man is decoration with all kinds of images of housing, household items, his body. At the same time, a widely used form of ancient art is ornament. It is inseparable from the subject on which it is located.
Each beautiful ornament contains a certain motive, which consists of one or several elements. So, in the Arab countries its special calligraphic type, which consists of fragments of text and letters, was widely developed. It arose with the advent of writing.
Arabesque is an ornament that appeared in the Middle Ages in those territories of the East where Islam is prevalent. There, absolutely all surfaces were decorated with these patterns: from walls to vaults of mosques. They were also placed on jewelry, dishes, carpets. And after the conquest of the East, arabesque came to Europe. The most famous masters used this one in their masterpieces.
Pattern Features
The works of art created by Arab masters are distinguished by some special spirituality, a subtle sense of the sublime and beautiful, expressiveness. Arabic patterns are unique and distinctive, despite the diversity. What are arabesques in islam? These are ornaments that do not contain images of living creatures.
They have geometric shapes, stunning with their grace and immersing a person in dreams and aspirations to learn life secrets. They amaze with their simplicity, expose the inner world of the master. In addition, the ornament included plant elements. These are leaflets, and buds, and stems, which, intertwined, create a continuous pattern. A distinctive feature of art in Islam was the fear of emptiness, so the ornament covered the entire surface, and there was absolutely no place for the background.
East arabesque as an art of geometry
Due to the ban on the image of living creatures, the masters turned to geometry. Thus, an arabesque is an ornament that consists of elements that are repeated and intertwined. They can diverge in different directions. The patterns are inherent in a clear rhythm, which is verified with high accuracy. This is the real embodiment of mathematical science in art. Each individual element was a whole and complete pattern. The next one was very beautifully interwoven with the previous one. The ornament could end at any moment, but its integrity did not suffer.
Despite the accuracy, such a pattern cannot be called boring. The mathematical approach did not deprive Arabesque of its artistic value.
Arabesque and its meditative properties
This ornament is bewitching and rhythmic. When contemplating repeating elements, one can very easily drown in an ocean of interwoven patterns. That is why arabesque can be called an excellent meditative tool. It is in a special way capable of scattering attention, thereby forcing to forget about the outside bustle and plunge into the inner world. That is why in many mosques, arabesque was part of the decoration. Her meditative function helped to focus on prayer and forget about other things.
Term in ballet
But the named word designates only an element of fine art. What is arabesque in ballet? It can be considered one of the main poses in modern classical dance. This is a very important element of choreography, which is found not only in ballet, but also in belly dancing. Classical arabesques are divided into four main types.
Allongee
This is the first and main pose, also called ouverte. The main role here is played by the back. To correctly perform this element, you need to stand on one leg, and the second, elongated and straight, raise back to such a height that the angle is 90 degrees. That arm, which is opposite the raised leg, is extended forward, and the other is retracted to the side. The hands should be extended and directed palms down at this time. Thus, it seems that they rely on air.
Second position
Legs and body are in exactly the same position as in the first embodiment. The only difference is that the arm that corresponds to the elongated leg is stretched forward. The other leg is bent back so that it can be seen behind the body, while the head is facing the viewer.
Third and fourth positions
The next element should be performed facing the viewer. The body leans forward and extends in the back. The arm and leg that extend are consistent with each other. The second leg is sideways. Face turned towards outstretched arm. The fourth position involves turning the body half-back towards the viewer. The legs are in the third position, and the outstretched arm is opposite the raised leg. The body rotates with a strong arch in the back.
I must say that the masters of dance perform arabesques very beautifully and gracefully. This is the real aesthetics of ballet art.
Term in music
There is another area where this word is used. Arabesque in music is such a genre of instrumental play. For the first time this term in the musical sphere was used by R. Schumann, who so called his play for piano. It was in the form of a rondo, and there were contrast sections in the rhythms. Since then, the term “arabesque” has been used by composers many times to define small piano pieces that have grace and patterned texture. And their melodic pattern is richly ornamented.
Term in fashion
Oriental motifs in clothes have long possessed the hearts of lovers of unusual clothes. After all, an interesting ornament, bright colors always attract attention. What is an arabesque print? This is a drawing on clothes that belongs to the Oriental and represents vegetable, animal and geometric patterns. Arabic calligraphy is sometimes used. All this is infinitely intertwined and repeated, replacing the entire background.
Very often it is possible to trace symmetry and rhythm in a pattern. It is necessary to clarify that in some European countries a pattern is called arabesque, which consists exclusively of plant elements. But in a broad sense, this term refers to all ornate, intricate patterns that have an oriental motif. It may look like an endlessly repeating fragment. This is a feature of the pattern. It is united into one whole and it is impossible to find either the beginning or the end.
Drawings are both contrasting and multicolor, as well as plain. Different fabric texture can be used, which only adds intricacy to the pattern.
Summary
So what is arabesque? The definition, as you see, has many meanings. I must say that today the named ornament is very popular. It can be seen on carpets, wallpaper and in the works of artisans. Arabian and jewelers, and fashion designers, and interior designers are inspired. And the appearance of such directions as doodling is connected precisely with oriental ornaments. So what is arabesque? This is an ornament that has become an integral part of world art.