Camera Ottomana exhibit, Istanbul

[bixaorellana]

Today I attended an exhibition which, while doing a fantastic job of entertaining and educating, also enhances and expands the way we think about photography's role in history.

It will only be on display at its present venue until August 19, but here is the information for those who may want to find out where (or if) it will exhibited in the future:
Camera Ottomana: Photography and Modernity in the Ottoman Empire, 1840-1914
Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (RCAC), ISTANBUL
İstiklal Caddesi No: 181 Merkez Han 34433 Beyoğlu P.O.B. 260 İstanbul, Turkey
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00-18:30 / Sunday: 12:00-18:30

And a little in-depth information: www.todayszaman.com/arts-culture_history-of-photography-in-ottoman-empire-documented-in-istanbul-exhibition_394433.html

I wasn't able to capture everything I'd like to show because of the lighting, but let me try to give the flavor of this vibrant work ~

The first display, with its photos of family groups, children, actors, etc.
whets the appetite for what is to follow ~

Looking back toward the street from the hall that channels guests into the rest of the exhibition ~


Map showing the location of all the photography studios in the Ottoman Empire ~


I suspect this was many people's favorite part, as it allowed the viewers to click and change the groups of the bank employees, plus cleverly swapped out some of the pictures as we watched.

Sorry ~ too sleepy to continue right now. More later!

[Deleted]

You have succeeded marvellously in that very tricky exercise: taking pictures of pictures. I actually knew someone who worked for the Banque Ottomane in Paris. I always loved seeing such an exotic name on one of the buildings surrounding the Opéra Garnier, but unfortunately it finally disappeared in 2001 when it was incorporated into the totally mundane Garanti Bank.

[bixaorellana]

Thank you! It's always iffy presenting something like this, as the subtlety & verve of the presentation oozes away in being transferred to another media, as does the wonderful crispness of the original photographs. And yes -- the very word "Ottoman" conjures up another more exotic world.

As one moves through the exhibition, the statement posted at the beginning really sinks in ~

Usually I'm not crazy about the darkened gallery/lighted cases method, since it reminds me of the tarantula section in a zoo, but it worked beautifully here in conveying the sense of windows on a lost world ~

[bixaorellana]

From this illuminating look at the past, we move on to the rooftop restaurant to capture views of modern-day Istanbul ~

[htmb]

Most interesting, Bixa, though I pity the poor woman who had to pose displaying the hole in her abdomen.

I love the way you featured postcards and then moved to your own postcard worthy shots of the spectacular rooftop restaurant views.

[Kimby]

Fascinating, Bixa! Thanks for including the text panels. I plan to study the whole thread in depth on the PC. This phone screen does NOT do it justice!

[bixaorellana]

You never know what you'll come across on the internet. I found this most interesting and think it expands this thread nicely:

Armenians and Armenian Photographers in the Ottoman Empire <-- click

[Kimby]

Nice!
However did you stumble upon this?
I note that there are 30 “open albums” that can be viewed for free. How cool is that?

[bixaorellana]

Thanks, Kimby.

That link comes from publicdomainreview.org, which, as the name indicates, features items in the public domain. I subscribe to its facebook page, so get little nuggets all the time, including the one on the Armenian photographers in the Ottoman Empire. I believe your-sister-the-librarian is also a subscriber.