Announcements

Share

Autumn at the Palace of Versailles at The Gallery Işık - Şile

The Feyziye Schools Foundation and the Gallery Işik on the Şile Campus of Işik University, Celebrating the17th Anniversary of the Founding of Işik University through Culture and Art Activities, is Housing an Exhibition of the Baroque Period of the Palace of Versailles.

Işik University Faculty of Architecture and Design, Landscape Architecture Department Chair Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin's exhibition featuring 65 photographic works entitled "Autumn at Versailles (Baroque)" has opened at the Gallery Işik - Şile.

Opening remarks were provided by Işik University Rector Prof. Dr. Nafiye Güneç Kiyak. In her comments, Kiyak noted that the exhibit of Autumn at Versailles, Europe's largest palace, is a reflection of France's most splendid period. I'm not certain which is more famous, the palace or its queen, the Australian princess Marie Antoinette. Situated in the Paris suburbs, its immeasurable cost stands as a symbol of the collapse of the country. The reign of the French kings, it's fixation with splendor and its efforts to remain supreme while ignoring the uprising of the common folk made the palace the central location of the their downfall. As you raise your gaze toward the balcony, you can almost hear Marie Antoinette telling the thousands of women who had approached the palace that, "If they cannot find bread, let them eat cake." While passing through the 75 meter long hall of mirrors, you can feel her gliding through as well. Within the courtyard entrance, you cannot help but be struck by the fact that this is where she met her fate on the guillotine. We must ask, which is more compelling, the magnificent walls, the brilliant salons, or is it Marie Antoinette herself? Everything has its own story to tell, and this is the special tale of this location. Without Marie Antoinette, Versailles is not Versailles. Simply, Versailles is the starting point of the French Revolution. I believe that this marked a new year for humanity. That day, 26 August, 1789, was the first pronouncement of "human and citizens' rights", and as Marie Antoinette was led to the guillotine, the debts of oppression from this period were paid by this beautiful woman. 26 August, 1789, in today's terms, was a new year for humanity. Looking back to that point of clarification, we entered a new period proclaimed a different understanding for the value of humans. This is the first article of that proclamation: "Every human is born free and equal; lives free and equal."

We celebrate the new year, and in 2014 we wish you, and the whole world, peace, solitude, and happiness. She ended her talk by expressing her love and respect to the guests before thanking Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin and presenting him with a plaque.

INFLUENCING THE WORLD

From his original photographic study conducted in the autumn of 2009, Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin has created this exhibition. In explaining why he chose this historical French chateau as the focus of his study, he explained, "Landscape Art History has seen many distinct movements, and these trends affect not only the countries of the regions in which they take place, but countries outside those regions as well. As such, there have been three back-to-back important movements and styles that have impacted the world for decades, indeed their impact has been felt through the ages. These movements are: The Renaissance Period, The Baroque Period, and the English Period. The Baroque Period arrived in France throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, with the most prominent representation of this period being Versailles. This example is"The Design of the Grounds of the Versailles Palace", which represents three separate time periods because of the arrival of the Baroque and Renaissance styles. The Grounds of the Versailles Palace extend to the line of the horizon, within a distinct section, there is space dedicated to the transition of from Baroque to the birth of the English style. Within this space one finds the Queen's residence in the small village of Hameau. As is known, the patterns of the Renaissance and Baroque styles are more formal, whereas the patterns found in the English style are more informal.

The aim of the exhibition is to present in a photographic medium, at the beginning of the Baroque period, through details and color variations of autumn, the unique identifiers of the Renaissance, Baroque, and English periods.

The exhibition is on display for art lovers until 25 January, 2014.

Who is Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin?

Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in 1966 at Ankara University. In 1970, he was awarded his Doctorate with an excellent designation upon completion of his thesis entitled, "The Landscape of Lake Van and Recommended Projects For its Development." In 1972, Professor Alptekin earned a certificate from the International Language and Civilization School of Paris. In 1974, also in Paris, he earned a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture.

In 1978, upon completion of research on"Winter Sports Recreation Potential and its Relationship for Determination of Principles for a Recreational System in The Northern Sector of Eastern Anatolia", he was awarded his Associate Professorship, and in 1988 he rose to the professorship at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin has served as jury member and thesis advisor for the Masters, Doctorate, Associate Professorship, and Professorship at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, İstanbul Technical University, Yıldız Technical University, and Ankara University.

Professor Alptekin has completed over 50 research projects, studies, articles, conference presentations, study notes, and technical reports in the fields of rural and urban landscape architecture. Also among his accomplishments are numerous projects and designs for vacation villages, fair grounds, campuses, memorial parks, culture parks, sports facilities, ski centers, hotels, factories, schools, guest accommodations, historical preservations, and arboreta.

  • 1970-1972 and 1974-1981 Chair, Atatürk University Grounds and Social Facilities Board of Directors
  • Faculty Council and Chair of multiple Boards of Directors
  • 1996-2011 University Board of Directors and Chair of Faculty Senate.
  • 1981 (Samsun) Protocol Chair of the Celebration Committee for the 100th Anniversary of Ataturk's Birth
  • Vice Department Chair, Department Chair, Dean
  • 1996-2000 Vice Rector
  • 2000-2006 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Rector
  • 2000-2006 Arts Education Council Chair, Presidents' Council
  • 2004-2005 Presidents Council
  • 2006-2008 Dean, Kadir Has University Fine Arts Faculty
  • 2007-2010 Dean, Culture University Art and Design Faculty

Prof. Dr. İsmet Vildan Alptekin is known for his academic works, administrative positions, scientific and applied memberships, in addition to numerous awards and letters of recognition. Currently, he is chair of the Landscape Architecture Department in Işık University's Faculty of Fine Arts.

İlgili Dosyalar