[If you want to know more about this Zentangle thing, start HERE.]
I worked on this week’s Diva challenge during what was supposed to be rest time after our walking tour of the old section of Cordoba, a city in the province of Andalucia in southern Spain. (Meanwhile, Mr. Excitement was excited to be taking an actual nap.) The old section of Cordoba is full of tangle inspirations, having been home to Romans, Visogoths, Muslims, Jews and Christians over the centuries.
Before I share some of the photos I took during today’s explorations, here is my response to this week’s Diva challenge which was to use a tangle constructed and deconstructed by Swiss CZT (Certified Zentangle Teacher), Tina-Akua Hunzicker. Tina named her tangle African Artist because she was inspired by designs on African cloth.
Here are some of the patterns I came upon today walking around Cordoba. Cordoba is famous for its Mezquita, a massive mosque built between 784 and 987 by three Muslim rulers of Cordoba which was the Muslim capital of Al-Andalus. When Cordoba was reconquered by Ferdinand III of Castille and Leon in 1236, he started building churches, one of which was a cathedral built within the Mosque itself. The juxtaposition and overlapping of the architecture and cultures is quite amazing to behold.
A window in the Mezquita with a Mudejar (Muslim) motif.
Stained glass window in the Catholic cathedral within the Mezquita.
Close up of a Mudejar element in the Mezquita.
Part of the Cathedral in the Mezquita showing a combination of Mudejar and Romanesque/Gothic styles.
Wrought iron railing in a leather workshop in Cordoba, Spain.
Tooled leather book cover with a Mudejar motif, Cordoba, Spain.
Our headboard in the Las Casas de la Juderia Hotel, Cordoba, Spain
Tomorrow, we will be visiting a museum about the Sephardic Jewish experience in Cordoba prior to the Inquisition. As we walk the ancient stone streets of the old city, I try to imagine the lives of those in whose footsteps we follow.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Your tile is really lovely and I am inspired by your photos.
This tangle looks three dimensional, making it all the more appealing, at least to my unstudied eye:) Also love the photos, in particular the Mudejar element in the Mezquita. I’ve not been to Spain, so I’m happy you are doing it in my stead! LOL
I have a lot more to say about the Mezquita and more photos—-a fascinating place.
Beautiful ideas – I like that you make us look at the design of something – like that wonderful tooled leather book cover (I love leather book covers). It gives one a vastly different look at travel pictures – you really have to study what someone created years ago. Amazing!
And, you will be deconstuctioning all of these for us, right? Beautiful pictures; thanks for sharing. Your African Artist is lovely as well!
I was hoping another tangler would volunteer to do the deconstructions. 😉
Great tile and such beautiful inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
Great Diva tile!
I like your combination of tangles. Great photos too!
Your Diva tile is stunning!
Wow Suzanne, the pictures and the historical comments are really amazing. I knew not from Zentangle when I visited Italy in 2006, so I reckon I missed a few thousand opportunities to record patterns for deconstruction. Isn’t it amazing to use the word “deconstruction” in a constructive way?
When I look at your gorgeous tile, I see table runner from the “African Artist” part alone. I think it would look great running the length – with matching place mats too, of course.
Enjoy your travels.
what a wellspring of patterns you have here! I just love the artistry of Islamic pattern making. Just goes to show, sometimes restriction (such as the tabu of depicting the human form in art) leads to great beauty.
This piece of yours reminds me of a long table, laden with food.
Your African Artist tile is lovely, done well! Thanks for sharing those photo’s.
Nice tile
Well done! I also enjoyed your tangle discoveries from your trip – what fun!
Lovely job on the new tangle, Suzanne. And I can imagine the pleasure you had in exploring Cordoba and its many different artistic offerings…just sorry not to have been able to join you. I particularly like that bed head – wow! Axxx
Suzanne, your Diva is quite lovely!! Glad you had time to create it!! I love the patterns you have shared!! Keep having a great time!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog/2015/12/my-diva-umt-african-artist-challenge-entry
I don’t understand Zentangle – mainly because I have never tried to but I do love the photos of Cordoba patterns.