at dubai design week 2017, LASVIT and khalid shafar premiers ‘silent call’, a programmable dynamic lighting sculpture that ‘integrates time and motion for a function beyond the aesthetic’. the installation explores the eternal partnership of art and religion by transforming the crown of islamic architecture – the mosque – into mezmerizing beacons. sourcing the symbolism of the number five in islam, stylized domes of five renowned mosques in the UAE, russia, malaysia, germany and denmark have been transformed as the chandelier’s crystal components.
all images courtesy of LASVIT unless stated otherwise
‘the five daily prayers are among the most important obligations of islamic faith,‘ explains khalid shafar. ‘today’s busy world poses challenges to a worship performed in times determined according to the sun. prayer times are defined as near dawn, just after midday, in the afternoon, just after sunset and around nightfall, so the exact time changes throughout the season. software-based azan clocks keep track of it for travelers and worshipers inside buildings where the call to prayer may not be heard. this led to the idea of programming a sculpture that would silently remind worshipers of prayer times using lighting effects and motion.’
the collaboration between LASVIT and khalid shafar attributes to the regional and international atmosphere and outlook of dubai design week. ‘silent call’ itself aims to showcase the beauty of the call to prayer and delivers with its adjustable timing technology. each silhouette of the mosques have been resized in several dimension, before being mounted upside-down on the installation for functionality and composition purposes. by syncing to its collector’s time zone and schedule, its internal technology enables the chandelier to adjust to many other cultures and needs, not just in an islamic context.
khalid shafar next to the ‘silent call’ installation
image courtesy of photo solutions
image courtesy of photo solutions
image courtesy of photo solutions
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