Islamic Architecture in Iran : Poststructural Theory and the Architectural History of Iranian Mosques

"The architecture of the Islamic world is predominantly considered in terms of a dual division between 'tradition' and 'modernity' - a division which, Saeid Khaghani here argues, has shaped and limited the narrative applied to this architecture. Khaghani introduces and reconsiders the mosques of eighth- to fifteenth-century Iran in terms of poststructural theory and developments in historiography in order to develop a brand new dialectical framework. Using the examples of mosques such as the Friday Mosques in Isfahan and Yazd as well as the Imam mosque in Isfahan, Khaghani presents a new way of thinking about and discussing Islamic architecture, making this valuable reading for all interested in the study of the art, architecture and material culture of the Islamic world."--Bloomsbury Publishing Front Cover Title page Copyright page Dedication Table of Contents Illustrations Note on Transliteration Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Islam as an Attribution Introduction The Emergence of Islam Islamic Ideals and Realities Islam and Cultural Material Mosques 2. Iranism Introduction Islamic Identity Iranism Persian Art Iranian Architecture The Notion of Time and the Image of Place The Geography of Space Conclusion 3. The Mosque as Public Space Introduction Individualism and Collectivism Home, Mahallah and City Representation The Image of the City The Mosque as a Public Place Conclusion 4. Diference and Iranian Architectural Discourse Introduction The Semantics of Islamic Art: Problems and Deficiencies Spatial History Heterology The Semiotics of Islamic Iranian Art Islamic Iranian Architectonic Discourse Conclusion 5. Diference and Particularity Introduction The Concept of Style: The Universal and Particular The Formal Language of Iranian Architecture Nomos and Polis Iranian Architecture The Notion of Time and Space Labyrinth and Obelisk Iranian Architectural Historiography Periodisation, Regionalism and Morphology Conclusion Conclusion Notes Bibliography INDEX "The architecture of the Islamic world is predominantly considered in terms of a dual division between "tradition" and "modernity"--A division which, Saeid Khaghani here argues, has shaped and limited the narrative applied to this architecture. Khaghani introduces and reconsiders the mosques of eighth- to fifteenth-century Iran in terms of poststructural theory and developments in historiography in order to develop a brand new dialectical framework. Using the examples of mosques such as the Friday Mosques in Isfahan and Yazd as well as the Imam mosque in Isfahan, Khaghani presents a new way of thinking about and discussing Islamic architecture, making this valuable reading for all interested in the study of the art, architecture, and material culture of the Islamic world."--Publisher