Karl Schlamminger (Spouse: Nasrin Schlamminger; Children: Saam Schlamminger and Turan von Arnim)
Karl Schlamminger (1935–2017) was a German sculptor, graphic designer, and educator whose work profoundly bridged Western modernism with the geometric and mystical traditions of Islamic art.
Following his graduation from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in 1964, Schlamminger’s deep fascination with the aesthetic codes of the East led him to Istanbul, where he taught for several years. He then moved to Iran with his Iranian-born wife, Nasrin. In Tehran, Schlamminger became an integral and beloved pillar of the thriving pre-revolutionary art scene. Joining the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University, he mentored a generation of Iranian modernists. He was a permanent fixture in the highbrow cultural circles of the city, frequently collaborating with prominent local architects and artists, and was deeply involved in the legendary Rasht 29 art club.
Schlamminger’s sculptural and graphic works are celebrated for their obsession with complex geometries, often transforming traditional Islamic calligraphy and patterns into monumental, contemporary forms. He is globally recognized for designing the iconic logo for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which brilliantly renders the word “Allah” in a repeating, interlocking rectangular Kufic script to form a central diamond.
His spatial mastery was frequently utilized in major architectural collaborations. He designed the breathtaking Islamic interiors, including the calligraphy and central fountain, for the Ismaili Centre in London, perfectly fusing modern architecture with traditional Islamic spatial philosophy. Additionally, he contributed monumental public sculptures worldwide, such as the garden sculptures at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, the “Pendulum Obelisk” in Berlin, and the “Time Piece” clock tower at Harvard Business School.
Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Schlamminger moved back to Munich, where he continued his persistent artistic exploration of the mystical dimensions of Islamic geometry until his death in 2017.
Active in others filds : Architectural Interior Design, Graphic Design (Logos/Typography), Art Education.
