Aphrodisias through lenses of Ara Güler

MUĞLA - Doğan News Agency

The exhibition ‘Call of Aphrodisias’ displays photos that Ara Güler took 54 years ago in the ancient city are presented to visitors at the Knidos Culture and Arts Academy.

The International Knidos Culture and Arts Academy, which opened two years ago in the town of Bodrum on the Aegean coast, is currently hosting a photography exhibition of renowned Turkish photography Ara Güler. The exhibition, titled “Call of Aphrodisias,” displays photos Güler took over many years in the ancient city of Aphrodisias.

In 1958 Güler travelled to the Karacasu town in Aydın province to photograph the Kemer Dam, and stumbled across Aphrodisias by accident after losing his way on the return journey from the dam. He took photographs during that first trip, as well as during several subsequent visits to Aphrodisias.

The opening of the exhibition in Bodrum was packed with people, but Güler himself could not join for health reasons. The exhibition was officially opened by journalist Osman Saffet Arolat.

He said the photos in the exhibition were at the very pinnacle of Güler’s countless contributions that had made Turkey’s cultural riches known throughout the world.

“What more is there to say? The photos that were taken many years ago are waiting for you here. View them carefully. The ancient city of old ages, Aphrodisias, is today very different to how it was in these photos. Thanks to Güler’s photos, it became one of our cultural heritages,” Arolat said.

The exhibition displays 40 of Güler’s Aphrodisias photos, a number of which have been colorized. It will remain open until Aug. 30.