|
'Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years' at Royal Academy, London |
|
|
Saturday, 22 January 2005What's On At Royal Academy, London
In the Main Galleries
Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600ŌĒö1600
22 JanuaryŌĒö12 April 2005
Sponsored by Garanti Bank, Corus and Aygaz
Continuing the RA's tradition of hosting outstanding exhibitions exploring world cultures, including Africa: The Art of a Continent (1995) and Aztecs (2002), this spectacular exhibition will be devoted to the artistic and cultural riches of the Turkic-speaking peoples. Loaned principally from the celebrated collections of the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art of Istanbul 350 objects will be displayed including paintings, textiles, carpets, sculptures, book illustration, calligraphy, woodwork, metalwork and ceramics. Many of the works have not been exhibited before outside of Turkey. The exhibition will comprise a wealth of materials stretching from the eastern borders of modern China to the Balkans in the west, examining the artistic achievement of regions controlled by Turkic peoples.
Late night opening until 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the exhibition (except 12 March 2005).
Source: Royal Academy, 22 January 2005.
For more info. please also visit
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/
Summary of the Exibition:
The Turkish Empires spanned Europe and Asia from the Mediterranean to China. Predominately an Islamic culture, Chinese and other influences are found in the artifacts that comprise this exhibit.
Turks includes nearly 300 objects that are drawn from museums in Turkey. Particularly the Topkapi Palace Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art of Istanbul. Many of the items will be on display outside of Turkey for the first time.
The Turks were not necessarily the artisans themselves but it was their travels that brought the objects or creators under the Turkish influence.
The organization is chronological and follows some of the key dynasties.
The first portion focuses primarily on Uighurs, a Turkic speaking population from Western China that dominated portions of Asia in 744 - 840 AD.
The Uighurs would be overthrown by another Turkic tribe and they would serve as the official secretaries of future regimes with their excellent script and language abilities.
The Great Seljuks who ruled Afghanistan and Central Asia were the next leaders of the Turkish Empire. Thanks to the conversion to Islam by the army chief Seljuk, that became the predominant religion upon the Turks.
The Seljuks loved art and decoration. They were responsible for rescuing the Caliph of Islam, captured and held in Baghdad, in 1055. It led to prosperous times, as their leader, Tughrul, was hailed Sultan of Sunni Islam in thanks for his heroism. One of their many talents was literature and the exhibit includes several 11th Century Turkish books. The dynasty was overthrown by the Mongols in 1194.
Muhammad of the Black Pen was the nickname given to Muhammad Siyah Qalam. An entire gallery is given to his works. Not much is known about the artist himself but his works are reflective of a nomadic life.
Timur, an admirer of Genghis Khan, was able to bring Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia under his rule, heralding the next dynasty to the Turks, the Tirmurid. Timur was an art patron and added much to the collection of Turkish artifacts. His practice was continued by his successors.
The exhibit ends with three galleries devoted to the Ottoman Empire.
For further information:
The Royal Academy of Arts at www.royalacademy.org.uk
Turks at www.turks.org.uk
|
Saturday, 22 January 2005
Art
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
