Seljuk heritage on view in New York

NEW YORK - Anatolia News Agency

(L to R) İbrahim Dıvarcı, Katherine Branning and Fevzi Şimşek pose at the opening ceremony of the photography exhibition, displaying works from the Seljuk civilization. AA photos

The Turkish Cultural Center in New York is hosting an exhibition titled “Song Stones: The Heritage of Anatolian Seljuk Architecture” through Dec. 8.

The exhibition is part of project called “Getting to know our own heritage,” conceived by the Seljuk Municipality in 2002. It is a joint venture between the Konya Seljuk Municipality and the Turkish Cultural Center.

Displaying different photographs from the Anatolian region, the exhibition was curated by American writer Katherine Branning. It showcases the work of Ibrahim Dıvarcı, Fevzi Şimşek and Ahmet Kuş. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dıvarcı said the aim of the exhibition was to reflect the culture, heritage and architecture of Seljuk civilization, while curator Branning gave detailed information about Seljuk civilization.

Branning explained how the Seljuk Empire had been hugely important in determining past trends in trade, art, culture and education. The Seljuk constructed many hospitals, schools and mosques, developing an architectural style that still “reflects their heritage,” she said. The Seljuk Empire remained after the Ottoman Empire had fallen, Branning said, yet the legacy of the Seljuk civilization has not been recognized for the importance it bears to society.

Speaking to Anatolia News Agency, Duvarcı said all the artists felt honored to be participating in an exhibition like this in New York, especially as the Metropolitan Museum boasts such an extensive collection of ceramics and potteries from the Seljuk period. “We have also come here to photograph those artifacts,” Dıvarcı said. It is very important to present Konya and its Seljuk civilization heritage to the world with these kinds of artistic and cultural events, he said.

Musician Scott Wilson performed for the participants of the opening of the exhibition.