How has Islamic Art evolved over time?

Question:

How has Islamic Art evolved over time?

I am doing research and would appreciate your input and possibly some websites for reference!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I am not an historian, or even further an art critic, but let me pass this on I recently read what is now being called biographical travel lit., anyone that is not a journalist that travels to "hot spots" and observes local customs/"human interest" reflections. Anyway, I love it, when the author good, engaging, , when bad, boring, might as well read Wikpedia. This one British author wrote "A Strange Light" about his travels through Afghanisitan a couple of years ago, Fabulous!!, however his current "travel lit" book examines Iran, and in my opinion not as good. But to your qustion, documents the evoluation/appreciation of Islamic Art from a layman's perspective, full of critical /academic references and his challenges to. Like the non-ivory tower approach to Shakespeare. I just have a simplistic received "understanding" of Islamic art, no actual wordly /physical representation images, hence the geometry, and the calligraphy of The Koran as opposed to iconography to enhance/focus worship. This book takes it to another level--above the accepted "norms' yet not into art criticism and its' specialized "parlance".. Not being derogatory(sp), not my field. Also this author appears to document the spatial construction of mosques with the art within. I learned /was exposed to the idea that Islamic artwork more than following The Korans' injunctions against physical representations of the natural world, just like all monotheistic religions, all have their own strictures. afterall, I doubt Michealangelo realy wanted to lay on his back all those years, yet an inspiration for generations that followed.. This author opened a venue for a religious/artisitc/evoluationa... approach that is from his book, overlooked by laypersons. The book is currently listed on the N.Y. Times Book Review list. (Non_fiction), maybe still on best-sellers' list, Also, if your interested search by former referenced title. Correct Title. I hope i could help. I just love passing on good reads, and his former book was how i encountered.