Kept Light » Photography

Touching The History Photography Exhibit

A. Cemal Ekin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:13:28 +0000

You might have read about my unique experience in the dome of Hagia Sophia and the first photography exhibit of the work of that experience in Cleveland last May-June. This fall, a slightly expanded version of the same exhibit is coming to Rhode Island. The small preview images below do not do justice to the 16×20 inch framed photographs, printed on special metallic paper to replicate the reflectivity of gold that surrounds the Great Dome. Visit the exhibit, come to the opening reception, hear my experience, and see the Great Church from a vantage point you most likely have not seen.

Below are the specifics:

Touching The History: Photographs From The Dome Of Hagia Sophia

Dates: September 8 – October 22, 2010

Location: Providence College Hunt-Cavanaugh Art Gallery

Gallery hours: 9 AM – 4 PM Monday-Friday

Opening reception: September 16, 2010 5 – 7 PM, Gallery talk at 6:00 PM

I may be able to arrange off hour visits for those who cannot make it during the gallery hours, contact me for special arrangements.

Here are some of the photographs in digital format.

[Show as slideshow]

Hagia Sophia Exhibit Opening

A. Cemal Ekin — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:37:29 +0000

The Hagia Sophia exhibit at the CSU Art Gallery opened on May 21, 2010 along with the works of three more artists. We had a chance to meet new people at the opening and we will likely keep in touch with them. A political science professor and one of his students from Hiram College traveled for about one hour to be there, thank you both. They are part of a group planning a trip to Turkey next year; who knows, our roads may meet again there.

Below are some photographs from the opening night. These are from the section that contained my work and my conversation with the visitors who came to see the work.

[Show as slideshow]

Macunagasi Izzet Efendi Mansion, Safranbolu

A. Cemal Ekin — Sun, 09 May 2010 16:45:31 +0000

In 2005 I visited Safranbolu for the first time, and ended up extending our planned stay from 2 days to 4. The town received the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and has remained like a time-capsule, at least so far. The streets, the houses, actually mansions, the lifestyle mostly reflect how the town looked several hundred years ago; bar the cell phones, the TVs, and the

Macunagasi Izzet Efendi Mansion - Click to Play Video

A lucky stop at the door with a sign that, I believe, said “Zamanlik”; roughly translated “time-barn” (entirely my term and the owners may not prefer the translation). There we met Ibrahim and Gul Canbulat working on their project to build and store the collective memory of the town, thus the name. After a brief conversation, they were kind enough to invite us for coffee at their newly restored house. Later that afternoon, we went to the Macunagasi Izzet Efendi Mansion. The couple lovingly restored and decorated the structure to its early glory. They were kind enough to allow me to take photographs in and around their house, which I believe was the first time a stranger was allowed to do; thanks Ibrahim and Gul for that experience.

I produced a video slide show, a photo book and shared them with the Canbulats. Recently, with the more advanced production software I have recreated the slide show remaining fairly close to the original version. This new rendering should provide a smoother video experience and a larger view port. I hope that it conveys the enchanting charm of the town, and more specifically the beauty of the Macunagasi Izzet Efendi Mansion; enjoy!

(View with Flash if the Quicktime version does not play when the image is clicked.)

Hagia Sophia Exhibit, Cleveland, May 21 – June 21

A. Cemal Ekin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:18:37 +0000

Exhibit Statement

A collection of my photographs will be on exhibit in the Cleveland State University Art Gallery. The exhibit titled “Touching the History: Photographs From the Dome of Hagia Sophia” will be on display for one month opening on May 21, 2010. Opening reception and a brief talk will be on May 21, 2010 between 5 – 7 PM. View the exhibit catalog . Printed copies of the catalog may be obtained in bulk at cost from MagCloud. (Please read the note before ordering and do not order single copies as the bottom half of the back cover will be white, making room for labeling and postage.)

Address: 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214 | 216.687.2000

Variations on Water: Reflections (Visual Canon)

A. Cemal Ekin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:49:47 +0000

I have been writing about the great flood of Rhode Island for a few days and sharing photographs of water in various states. It seems that lately we are all preoccupied with “water” and will continue on that path for a while. When we went out a couple of days ago to have supper, we stopped at a nearby pond, called Arnold’s Pond to see the water level. It was much higher than I have ever seen the pond, a tree that is normally on the shore was now under water. The reeds reflecting on the rippling water created interesting patterns, so I photographed them. The following video shows a series of photographs of these reflections. The repeating nature of the patterns, and the wave-form concept embedded in it reminded me of canon musical form, repeating over itself. So, Pachelbel’s Canon in D major provides the backdrop.