Bionic Buzz® covered a special exhibition Yadigâr “memento” – The Textiles and Handicrafts of Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, took place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. The daylong public exhibit featured vintage textile arts and handicrafts from Southeastern Anatolia, the area of Turkey recently devastated by the earthquake.
A special opening reception was held on the evening of May 5. Guests joining event organizers Vega Sankur, Nalan Kumlali Atahan, and Gulendam Ece Hurmeydan included the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Ramiz Dashdamirov, Consul General of Croatia in Los Angeles Renee Pea, E! founder Larry Namer, producer Larry Kasanoff, actors Carolyn Hennesy, Caroline Lagerfelt, Melissa Papel, Dustin Quick & Medi eM, Dee Dee Sorvino, and Nickolai Stoilov; and many others. Santa Monica Council Member Phil Brock attended the May 6th public event.
After the devastating earthquake in Southeastern Anatolia, it has become even more important, and poignant, to display these vintage pieces and artifacts, and preserve these arts. The region is located at the top of the fertile crescent where agriculture first began, with recent archeological finds pointing to at least 12,000 years of settlements there. Since its origin, this area has been on multiple trade and migration routes, hosting diverse religions, states, empires, all of which contribute to its rich tapestry of cultures, arts and handicrafts. The vintage pieces on display told the stories that were weaved, threaded or hammered into them.
Event chairperson Vega Sankur commented, “This region has lost many lives, and also lost in the rubble a significant amount of these handmade items and the knowledge and the history they hold. The lives cannot ever be replaced but we can hopefully help revive the arts. It is now vital to preserve this knowledge for the next generations.”
The organization has been raising funds for their immediate needs and will continue to do so. A portion of the exhibit’s proceeds will be used to help the artisans to restart their crafts, and to teach new students to learn these arts. The organizers have been working with regional art and crafts institutes (Olgunlasma) and cultural centers (Halk evleri) to understand their needs and pledge to provide support to them however possible.
A highlight of the day was the special program of four interactive, educational workshops, demonstrating Wool Felting, Pottery, Woodstamp, and Henna. Special guests and speakers included Associate Professor Dr. Nazan Avcıoğlu Kalebek, Head of the Carpet Design Department, Gaziantep University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Fashion and Textile Design; Dr. Owen Doonan, Professor of Art, CSUN, Northridge; Mr. Vedat Karadag, an expert in kilims, carpets and owner of a carpet emporium in Turkey; Turkish felting art artist Suna Mubeccel Isin, who gave the “Create your Regional Fertility Felted Doll” workshop; wool threading expert JoShell Koliva; Ece Erdemli who gave a Ceramic Workshop; and henna artist Ayfer Apay who gave a Henna Motif Workshop. Traditional Turkish food and beverages were served.
The event’s theme Yadigâr “memento” is expressed in its dramatic logo. Sometimes a story of many words can simply be expressed with a single motif. The “Yadigâr” (memento) logo tells the story of years of traditional handicrafts with the overlap of two distinct motifs; the combination of the “Koçbaşı” (the ram’s head) and “Elibelinde” (hands on hips) motifs overlaid in this logo represents the ultimate power and fertility and motherhood, respectively,” comments event co-chair Nalan Kumlali Atahan.
Proceeds benefitted the handicraft artisans of Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey, which was the region affected by the recent earthquake. The event is presented by Ataturk Cultural Center, a non-profit chapter of the American Turkish Association of Southern California.