BUILDINGS OF GOD Religious Architecture in DFW
AFIA AFRIN
For my final project I photographed various religious buildings around the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Religion plays huge a role in architecture and has for thousands of years. Since prehistoric times, religious teachings have transformed architecture as well as the lives of people. I have explored the different religious buildings in the city I live in. Each religion has a distinct type of look to its building. Religious buildings have a sense of sacred and respectable aura to them. I wanted to capture in my photographs the unique story line that each religion holds, and the reflection of that narrative in the architecture. I have photographed Hindu Architecture (Temple), Muslim Architecture (Mosque), Christian Architecture (Church) and Buddhist Architecture (Temple). What I learned by doing this project is that religious architecture is very special, not only to the people of that faith but to others as well. In the various houses of God I went to, I was naturally cautious to make sure I was fully respectful. In the case of the Buddhist Temple, “Tu Vien Lien Hoa� the architecture had a very calming atmosphere. I felt like I was somewhere in Tibet or Nepal. The architecture and the landscape took me away to a peaceful state of mind. I was in admiration as I watched the monks walk around and pray to the statues. By doing this project, I have grown to appreciate architecture even more and have found a new grown passion for photographing religious architecture with a more detailed vision.
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Trinity Christian Church - Irving, TX
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The Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe - Dallas, TX
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D/FW Hindu Temple - Irving, TX
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Tu Dam Buddhist Temple - Irving, TX
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Islamic Center of Irving - Irving, TX
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Tu Vien Lien Hoa - Irving, TX Front Cover: Tu Vien Lien Hoa - Irving, TX Back Cover: St. Mary’s Anglican Church - Irving, TX
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Final Photography Project - ARCH 5348 afia.afrin@mavs.uta.edu All Photographs Š 2015 Afia Afrin.