Innovation of techniques in ‘Ajami as painted wooden wall panelling for living spaces of Syrian houses
Technique of painted wood paneling in the art and craft of Ajami has been popularly practiced in the seventeenth to late eighteenth century especially during the Ottoman period. ‘Ajami is used to describe the technique of painted wooden wall panel as well as the interior as a whole. Nowadays,...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Journal of International Academic Research For Multidisciplinary
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/66123/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/66123/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/66123/1/66123_Innovation%20of%20techniques%20in%20%E2%80%98Ajami.pdf |
| Summary: | Technique of painted wood paneling in the art and craft of Ajami has been popularly
practiced in the seventeenth to late eighteenth century especially during the Ottoman
period. ‘Ajami is used to describe the technique of painted wooden wall panel as well as the
interior as a whole. Nowadays, it can be seen that this beautiful decorative painting
technique is subjected to threats and would gradually become one of an extinct art in Syria.
This paper discusses the rediscovering of traditional techniques of ‘Ajami and its visual
attributes in the painted wood paneling products of two Syrian master artisans who are
actively involved in the craft industry, namely AbdulraoufBaydoun and Fadiraeed. Their
works and opinions were obtained through face-to-face interviews that served as inferential
evidences and primary data for this study. The interviews focused on the aspect of
fabrication and innovation of ‘Ajami as painted wood paneling with particular emphasis on
visual components and techniques used. Field observation and photographic documentation
of their works were necessary measures to complement the interviews. Hence, examination
on the works produced by the artisans which exemplifies their distinctive craftsmanship is
also addressed in this paper. It was found that the most profound works produced by them
are ‘Ajami for interior application with distinctive techniques and visual attributes. The
finding also signifies their strong preferences to the application of floral and geometrical
design for innovative wood paneling. This implies that the development of new ideas based
on the traditional techniques has become the most influencing factor that governs their
craftsmanship in sustaining the applied art and design of ‘Ajami in Syria. |
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