By
Heidi Trautmann
A
kind of timelessness reigned in the beautiful space of the Bedesten at the
opening of the exhibition with all the small and big pieces which were created
in September in the “Bronze Age Village” with its bamboo huts erected there for
the Vounous Symposia. A shiver ran over
my spine to realize that the design of the ceramic pots and sculptures was done
thousands of years ago here on the island by people who had the same wish as we
have today to decorate the containers of daily use and to memorise events,
burials and hunting success and more. The first books were thus written in
clay, figuratively.
Rauf
Ersenal, historian and ceramist, the master mind of the project which has been
going on for years with all the research work done, had the vision to revive
the past for Cyprus people, by creating replicas of the objects of the Bronze
Ages which were taken away from the island and are – since last century - in
other countries’ museums. I have
accompanied him on the road he took. On
internet enter my name and terracotta symposium and you will find my texts to
all events on my website www.heiditrautmann.com.
I
entered the Bedesten hall early and found Rauf and the artists lighting the
many small oil lamps which created a festive atmosphere especially when Şenol
Özdevrim and the light girls entered the scene in their bronze age costumes
carrying torches. I had been to the
Vounous ‘village’ in September and had admired the enthusiasm the artists were
showing with their work. It was an experience they all will not forget. They
learnt a lot about the past on the island, about patterns and history, just as
the public learns now from this exhibition.
The
opening speeches were held by Rauf Ersenal talking about his vision, followed
by the mayor of Çatalköy, Mehmet Halusioğlu, a great supporter of the project,
and finally HE Mustafa Akinçı who spoke about the importance of being aware of
our past at all times.
I
hope my photos can convey the message and that many visitors will go to see the
precious exhibition at the Bedesten until November 30 during governmental
office hours.
Rauf
Ersenal announced that there will be - in the near future - an exhibition in
Kyrenia at the Trafo Art Centre and later it will go to Istanbul. My
congratulations. Rauf Ersenal is an
extremely hard worker and excellent organizer and we have to thank him for
this.
Link
to the 2nd Terracotta Symposium
http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=5782727652#.W_jz_TgzaUk