Lunch & Learn | Zellige: The Mathematical Mastery of Moroccan Mosaics

Wednesday, November 13 | 11:30 AM

This course will examine the origins of zellige, its historical usage,

the time-honored manufacturing process still used today, and how

the recent popularity of this age-old tile medium has brought about

renewed interest in the mathematical foundations of the art form

and ushered in a new era of contemporary designs and applications.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the origins and history of zellige, an ancient mosaic tile artform

• Explore the traditional manufacturing process of hand-chiseled tile pieces and tessellations

• Discover the significance of zellige in Moroccan architecture and its continued relevance in modern buildings

• Appreciate the blending of classical and modern styles in contemporary zellige designs

Key Points Of CEU Discussion:

• Zellige is one of the oldest mosaic tilemaking traditions in the world

• Made from individually hand-chiseled tile pieces that form patterns based on tessellations

• Predominantly seen in Moroccan architecture and western Islamic world structures

• Utilized in mosques, mausoleums, universities, and palaces for centuries

• Saved from obscurity by the Moroccan Royal Family in the 20th century

• Zellige continues to be a cultural and artistic hallmark of Moroccan identity

• Modern zellige combines classical aesthetics with contemporary design elements

• Presentation to cover origins, historical usage, manufacturing process, and recent resurgence of interest

• Recent popularity of zellige has revived appreciation for mathematical foundations and contemporary aesthetics

Host or Publisher ASID California Central / Nevada Chapter