Organized by the Classical Turkish Arts Foundation, the show features the works of 41 classical artists who are also members of the foundation. Titled “Classical Art in Beyoğlu,” the exhibition is scheduled to be held each year during Ramadan. The foundation counts 80 percent of the important classical artists in Turkey as members, the head of the foundation, Ahmet Zeki Yavaş, explains. “It was founded to support these artists financially and to give them moral support. Our objective is to contribute to the quality production of these classical artworks and improve, distribute and support them,” Yavas, who is also a calligraphy artist, said in an interview with Today's Zaman. “We also want this art to be known by as many people as possible through the media and to help this art reach younger generations,” he added. Among the 12 types of classical Ottoman art, calligraphy, ebru (paper marbling), tezhib (manuscript illumination), Ottoman miniatures and çini (glazed ceramics) are the most popular forms even today, and the foundation is trying to increase awareness of the others through various activities, Yavaş explained. He underlined the fact that over the last decade interest in these arts increased continually, especially among young people, and the foundation has more and more foreign students from all over the world who are interested in these arts.
The Classical Turkish Arts Foundation has 33 teachers and 200 students. One of the most intensive projects the institution has initiated brings basic art courses to primary schools and high schools. They also frequently showcase mixed-media shows in Turkey and abroad, conduct various seminars on classical art and print older masterpieces from the classical tradition. Yavaş stresses that with the support provided to artists through the foundation, this cultural heritage is being saved from extinction and that their job is to support art and help it blossom without making any distinction between their schools.
The show will run through Sept. 18. For more information, visit www.klasikturksanatlarivakfi.com
