In the first event of Bezirhane Meetings in 2020, Professor at the Department of Architecture, Middle East Technical University. Dr. Ali Uzay Peker took up the subject “Symbolism in Anatolian Seljuk Art and Architecture”.
The Rector of Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University. Dr. Mazhar Bagli, Ürgüp District Governor Mehmet Maraşlı, Cappadocia University Cappadocia Studies Application and Research Center Director Şükran Ünser, academicians, students and guests attended the “Bezirhane Meetings” events organized as part of the collaboration of our university, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Argos in Cappadocia and Argos Culture and Art organization.
Prof. Dr. Ali Uzay emphasized the importance of thinking, understanding and producing art and architecture in Cappadocia, which is defined as an open-air museum, where Middle Ages are represented very elaborately. Peker said, “Going beyond the icons and trying to understand their multidimensionality enrich people. This brings us closer to the Middle Ages because it is the Middle Ages that actually shape us. The history that science has shaped us is at most 200 years old, but it is a history resulting from the accumulation of thousands of years in the Middle Ages and before, and the effect of this past has much more impact on us. Therefore, understanding this also means understanding ourselves. ” Later, Peker shared information about cultural geography in order to better understand the field of symbols and symbolism.
“We will not take a holistic view of the Seljuk art”
Professor Dr. Ali Uzay Peker said, “The architecture and symbolism of the rural region, the Alevi Bektashi culture, and the art and architecture of the Mevlevi culture around the city, the art of the madrasahs around the palace, its architecture and its culture are very different. When you say the figures that are only under the influence of Shamanism to Seljuk art without being aware of them, all these works are thrown away. In other words, after the researches, when you look at the Seljuk Art today, you will see that there are many different faces, but it is the soul coming from Central Asia to Anatolia that brings these faces together. ”
Finally, Peker shared his views and thoughts on the symbolism of important Seljuk works in Anatolia, especially Konya İnce Minareli Madrasah, Sivas Divriği Ulu Mosque and Erzurum Double Minaret Madrasah.