The Bird from Paradise

Wooden Sculpture by Mohamadali Vadood

What sets The Bird from Paradise apart is its innovative use of Muqarnas. Traditionally, Muqarnas is a form of architectural design that creates repetitive and arranged geometric patterns. However, Vadood wanted to explore new applications for Muqarnas and invented a method called "Leveling Muqarnas." This method allows him to break free from the limitations of symmetry and repetition, resulting in a more dynamic and visually striking design. The lower body of the sculpture showcases the leveling Muqarnas technique, while the crown represents the traditional method, highlighting the capabilities of this beautiful art.

The Bird from Paradise is not only visually stunning but also showcases the natural beauty of different woods. Vadood carefully selected various types of wood, including Jujube, Millettia laurentii, Buxus, Rosewood, Haloxylon, and Robinia, to create a vibrant and colorful composition. The eyes of the bird are made from natural seashells from the Persian Gulf, with the sediments inside the shell forming the pupils, adding a touch of uniqueness to the sculpture.

This sculpture is a testament to the craftsmanship and skill of Vadood and his team. They employed various techniques such as Muqarnas, wood carving, traditional Iranian wood carving-grating, Iranian marquetry, wood turning, sculpting, and Iranian marquetry-carving to bring their vision to life. The result is a truly remarkable piece of art that showcases the beauty and versatility of wood as a medium.

The Bird from Paradise is a static sculpture that cannot be transformed into anything else. It is a testament to the capabilities of the different art forms used to create it, with each component carrying the natural colors of the different woods, creating a rainbow-like effect. This sculpture is a celebration of traditional Iranian arts and a revival of the endangered art of Muqarnas.

The Bird from Paradise was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity and ingenuity, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. The sculpture's technical and creative excellence contributes to the improvement of quality of life, making the world a better place.