Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600–1600
22 January—12 April 2005
Sponsored by
Further sponsorship by: LASSA TYRES
With generous support from the Friends of the Royal Academy, the Royal Academy Trust, the American Associates of the Royal Academy Trust, Akkök Group of Companies, Access Industries (UK), Çolakoğlu Group and a consortium of sponsors and donors
The Royal Academy presents a landmark exhibition exploring the artistic and cultural riches of the Turks from Inner Asia to Istanbul and beyond. Spanning a period of a thousand years, from 600 to 1600 AD, a rich array of textiles, manuscripts, calligraphy, woodwork, metalwork and ceramics shows the artistic diversity that culminated in the splendours of the Ottoman Empire. The exhibition brings together over 350 outstanding works, drawn primarily from the celebrated collections of the Topkapı Saray Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art of Istanbul, including numerous works which have never been exhibited outside Turkey.
Taking visitors on an extraordinary journey, this is the first ever exhibition to explore the development of Turkic cultures, as they forged their way westwards across the eastern borders of Central Asia to the Balkans of Eastern Europe. Throughout their nomadic migrations each group of Turkic peoples appropriated and assimilated the new cultures they encountered. Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600–1600 exposes and explores the cultural interactions that gave rise to the great richness of artistic expression of this period.
The exhibition presents a wealth of material from a momentous thousand-year period. It introduces the art of the Uyghurs, a nomadic tribal group who first rose to prominence in the 7th century at the crossroads of the Silk Route in Central Asia and goes on to explore three key dynasties: the Seljuks (c.1040-1194), the Timurids (c.1370-1506), and an examination of the Ottomans between c.1453 and 1600. With a combination of charismatic leaders, strategic brilliance and military power these groups were able to conquer vast geographic areas and inspire artists to reach new heights of creativity.
The exhibition brings together the extraordinary drawings by Muhammad Siyah Qalam – ‘Muhammad of the Black Pen’ – one of the greatest treasures of the Topkapı Saray Library, never before exhibited outside Turkey. Among the numerous masterpieces on display is an impressive 13th century Seljuk carpet from the mosque built for Sultan Alaeddin Keykûbad in Konya, and a unique Timurid architectural scroll depicting geometric patterns, measuring 30 metres in length. A wealth of Ottoman treasures includes an armoured kaftan of Mehmed ‘The Conqueror’, mosaic wooden doors designed by the great architect Sinan for the harem (the private living quarters of the Sultan) and the ceremonial sword of Suleyman ‘The Magnificent’. In addition, the opening gallery contains a visual introduction, highlighting architectural sites specific to each cultural group.
ORGANISATION
Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600–1600 has been organised by the Royal Academy of Arts. It has been curated by a unique collaboration between three internationally acclaimed specialists Filiz Çagman, Director of the Topkapı Saray Museum, Istanbul; Nazan Ölçer, Director of the Sakip Sabanci Museum, Istanbul; David Roxburgh, Professor of Islamic Art at Harvard University and from the Royal Academy of Arts, Norman Rosenthal, Exhibitions Secretary and Adrian Locke, Exhibitions Curator.
LOANS
Some 350 objects have been brought together, primarily from Istanbul’s Topkapı Saray Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, as well as from collections from across the world, including St Petersburg (The State Hermitage Museum), Berlin (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin), Vienna (Kunsthistorisches Museum), Paris (Musée du Louvre), New York (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) and London (The British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum).
CATALOGUE
To accompany this major exhibition RA Publications has produced a landmark catalogue, fully illustrated with colour reproductions of each of the exhibits. The catalogue includes introductory essays by Peter B. Golden, Professor of History at Rutgers University, New Jersey; Osman Sertkaya, Chairman of the Institute of Turkology at the University of Istanbul and Peter Zieme, Leader of the research group ‘Turfanforschung’ at the Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Additional essays by the three curators and leading international scholars from Turkey, USA, Germany and the UK have also been included.
EVENTS PROGRAMME
An extensive education and events programme has been organised. This includes workshops, gallery talks, teachers’ evenings, an education guide, public gallery talks and focus days. An exciting programme of lectures will run throughout the exhibition featuring leading academics, important Turkish figures and other high profile speakers. The exhibition Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600-1600 contains information and works relevant to Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum.
AUDIOGUIDE
Audioguides, produced by Antenna Audio, will be included within the cost of all Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600–1600 tickets. The audioguide provides a comprehensive guide to the exhibition, enabling a greater understanding of the Turks. There will also be a children’s version in which ‘the genie of the lamp’ will take younger children on a magical tour of the exhibition.
WEBSITE
A dedicated website (www.turks.org.uk) has been created to accompany Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600-1600. The site introduces the public to themes within the exhibition, with special features including a time-line of key events in the history of the Turks illustrated by works from the exhibition. The site includes facts and figures; educational information; on-line booking; frequently asked questions; a screensaver and a special e-card.
SPONSORS
Garanti Bank, Aygaz and Corus have generously sponsored the exhibition. Additional support has been provided by Lassa Tyres in addition to generous support from the Friends of the Royal Academy, the Royal Academy Trust, Akkök Group of Companies, Access Industries (UK), Çolakoğlu Group and a consortium of sponsors and donors.
“Aygaz is a company of the Koç Group, the leading Turkish industrial conglomerate. Well known for its commitment to philanthropy, the Koç Group was the first private Turkish business to establish a charitable foundation; today, its foundation is the largest in Turkey. A leader in the liquid petroleum gas sector in Turkey, Aygaz distinguishes itself not only by its high standards of customer service but also with its commitment to social and cultural development. Our support of this landmark event is a natural continuation of our company philosophy. We are thrilled that many people will have the chance to enjoy this exciting exhibition.”
Mehmet Ali Neyzi, General Manager, Aygaz
“Garanti Bank is honoured to sponsor this ground-breaking exhibition. We hope that Turks will bring a new dimension to the understanding of Turkish culture and foster a deeper appreciation of its diversity, splendour and impact over the centuries. In Istanbul, Garanti Bank has taken a leading role in adding value to society and the environment founding three innovative facilities – Platfoom, Garanti Gallery and Ottoman Bank Museum. With this exhibition, we are pleased to address the international art world for the first time and in doing so lend prominence to our country and our culture.”
Ergun Özen, Chief Executive Officer, Garanti Bank
“Corus is delighted to be associated with an exhibition that for the first time brings a thousand years of the region’s artistic and cultural traditions together. For Corus, Turkey is a country with which we feel closely connected. It is fitting that Turkey, whose borders have expanded and contracted over the last millennium, is being celebrated here in London, where the cultural ties between the two countries are at their strongest.”
Jim Leng, Chairman, Corus Group PLC
MEDIA PARTNER
DATES AND OPENING HOURS
Open to public: Saturday 22 January—12 April 2005
10am–6pm daily (last admission 5.30pm)
Late night openings: Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm (last admission 9.30pm). Except Saturday 12th March.
ADMISSION*
£11 full price
£9.00 60 years+ and Registered Disabled
£7 NUS / ISIC cardholders
£4 12-18 years and Income Support
£3 8-11 years
7 and under free.
£25 family ticket (for 2 adults and 2 children aged 8-18 years).
*Admission price includes exhibition audioguide.
TICKETS
Tickets are available daily at the RA. To book tickets in advance please call: 0870 848 8484 or visit www.royalacademy.org.uk (booking fee applies).
Groups of 10 or more must book in advance call 020 7300 8027 or email groupbookings@royalacademy.org.uk
groupbookings@royalacademy.org.uk
Publicity images for Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600–1600 can be obtained from Picselect, the Press Association’s image service for press use. Please register at www.papicselect.co.uk and once registered go to the Royal Academy folder in the Arts section of Picselect.
To obtain transparencies please contact the RA Press Office on tel: 020 7300 5615.
For further press information, please contact Susie Pickering or Christina Freyberg on tel: 020 7300 5615/5610, fax: 020 7300 8032, or email office@royalacademy.org.uk”>press.office@royalacademy.org.uk
For public information, please phone 020 7300 8000 or www.turks.org.uk
Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD18/01/05
