Art, Economics and Politics in Modern Turkey Edited by William Sayers

ART, ECONOMICS AND POLITICS IN MODERN TURKEY EDITED BY WILLIAM SAYERS ART, ECONOMICS AND POLITICS IN MODERN TURKEY EDITED BY WILLIAM SAYERS AGP SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE • Prof. Dr. Giles Chemla (Imperial College London) • Prof. Dr. Gustavo Araújo Batista (University of Uberaba) • Prof. Dr. Douglas E. Angus (University of Ottawa) • Prof. Dr. Kâzım Yetiş (Istanbul Aydın University) • Prof. Dr. Larissa Clare Pochmann da Silva (Candido Mendes University) • Prof. Dr. Luisa Maria Arvide Cambra (University of Almeria) • Prof. Dr. Norbert Pap (University of Pec) • Prof. Dr. Sueli Teresinha de Abreu Bernardes (University of Uberaba) • Prof. Dr. Babak Rahimi (UC San Diego) • Prof. Dr. Sabit Oymael (Istanbul Arel University) • Prof. Dr. Nurhodja Akbulaev (Azerbaycan State University) • Prof. Dr. Richard Smiths (London Goldsmiths) • Prof. Dr. Richard Davis (Durham) • Prof. Dr. Şakir Gözütok (Van Yüzüncü Yıl) • Prof. Dr. Zeki Taştan (Van Yüzüncü Yıl) ISBN XXX-XXX-XXXX X-X-X All parts of this publication are protected by copyright law. © AGP 2017 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. Published by AGP Research. AGP Research is an Imprint of Mayaa Education. London & Istanbul AGP Academic Research. Cover Design: David Alexander 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE, UK. www.uagp.org All rights reserved. © 2017 AGP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Art, Economics and Politics in Modern Turkey At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet ut et voluptates repudiandae sint et molestiae non recusandae. Itaque earum rerum hic tenetur a sapiente delectus, ut aut reiciendis voluptatibus maiores alias consequatur aut perferendis doloribus asperiores repellat. An Example of Traditional Handicrafts in Midyat: Production of Filigree Adnan Alkan Siirt University, Department of Geography *Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The culture, which is formed by the material and the spiritual values of a community acquired throughout history, is no doubt the basic element of society reflecting the lifestyle and level of development. One of the important cultural entities is handicraft that transfers thousands of years of cultural heritage to next generations. It is also one of the most important bridges linking the past with the future. As has been the most meaningful and significant document, handicrafts gained traditional qualifications by reflecting the community’s sense and cultural identity. Anatolia has a cultural diversity, which forms a mosaic. Therefore, in terms of folk culture products and traditional crafts Anatolia has a great wealth. Midyat has also a great wealth of cultural diversity and mosaics as well as traditional handicrafts that can be described as a small cameo of Anatolia. As being one of the most important places of the ancient cultures of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, people from different races and religions lived together for thousands of years in Midyat. Mainly, including the production of filigree and stone masonry, the traditional handicrafts have become the most concrete way that reflects the ancient culture of the city of Midyat. In this work as being most important examples of Anatolian and Midyat culture, filigree production is discussed. Like other traditional crafts in Turkey, filigree loses its significance and the interest in the art of filigree as a profession decreases steadily. Especially, filigree cannot resist against casting silver produced with modern techniques and industrialization. Approximately 25 filigree processing workshop located in Midyat today and the products are sold in these shops or jewelry store. Syrian artisans run the vast majority of these workshops which are decreasing day by day. The filigree produced with modern machines and casting silver in a much shorter time and sold lower prices affect negatively professional craftsmen uses traditional methods and it eliminates their competitiveness. In this context, filigree workshop using traditional methods and reflecting thousands of years of artistic and aesthetic knowledge, need to be supported. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the survival of this art master. In this study, the emergence, development, production, production methods of the filigree, which has an important place in Midyat culture, were studied. In addition, what needs to be done to keep alive the craft of filigree was examined. A literature review was made by investigating previous studies on the subject. Then, filigree workshop was examined by conducting a field research. The information obtained by making the interview with filigree masters, the people who sell filigree products and reflect the cultural identity of the city. This information was analyzed according to the principles of geography. Keywords: Midyat, Telkari, Handicrafts, Traditional, Culture 1. Introduction feelings, artistic admirations and cultural characteristics of the source society. Handicrafts are works of art and craft, which Production of traditional handicrafts with daily are fostered to satisfy the human needs, use purpose or artistic value is gradually undergo a change depending on natural and gaining importance as a cultural indicator for environmental conditions, and reflect the 1 developing as well as developed countries, settlement for many civilizations through its which reflects the beauty of art against deep history where many communities led a spreading industrial design products that life in which people belonging to different threaten the grace and quality of life [1]. languages and religions lived in peace (Figure Traditional handicrafts works, bearing the trace 1). Midyat, an ancient city, hosted a raft of of cultural ruins, habits, morals and conducts peoples, religions and cultures. In particular which are revered and handed down inasmuch Sumerians, Assyrians, Urartians, Macedonians, as they are considered ancient works in Persians and Romans reigned over the modern-day society, are disappearing territory, and Syriac Christians, Armenians, depending on notably industrialization, and Yezidis, Kurds, Turks and Arabs managed to changing living conditions and value maintain their own languages, faiths and judgments. Yet, handicrafts works rise in value cultures until today. With this aspect, Midyat, a and have a rich potential with regard to ever- multi-ethnic, multi-faith, multi-identity and increasing tourism activities and art economy multi-culture town, is an attractive location. [2]. With a history of ancient culture and civilisation, the town composes a structure in As a material culture element, traditional which a great number of material and moral handicrafts play a crucial role in reflecting cultural elements create an expansive cultural cultural structures of societies [3]. Bringing the harmony. past into the present, traditional handicrafts are among documents that best describe social, cultural and economic life-styles of the society. Handicrafts play utmost role in handing down our customs and traditions and forms of life. From this point of view, handicrafts serve as a bridge between generations, being positioned as culture treasury from the past to the present. Handicrafts are a rich treasury that have all features of different cultures [4]. Handicrafts, one of the essential branches of popular culture made with basic hand tools via minimum or no utilization of machine, are works that come from the past in master- apprentice relationship. In this context, among Figure 1: Location Map of Midyat the longstanding handicrafts in Anatolia are coppersmith, cutlery, walking stick making, Undoubtedly, filigree, together with spoon making, saddle making, pottery, filigree stonework, is the leading cultural richness and rug and carpet weaving crafts. Today some which is discussed here. Having helped the art of these (saddle making) are facing extinction of filigree, which has been kept on for while some are being conserved by a limited centuries by particularly Syriac jewellers, number of jewellers in different regions of our spread to Anatolia, Asia and many other country [5]. Beyond doubt, filigree is one of regions, the town Midyat today maintains its the most important longstanding handicrafts in importance as the paramount filigree centre. Anatolia. ‘Telkari’, meaning filigree (to be Highly cultural and aesthetic filigree works, referred as filigree henceforth), is made by produced through great hand-work and labour, soldering together small motifs created with are considerably important with regards to twisted silver moulded into the shape of wire. tourism and economy. Among the common products made through filigree, an entirely hand-made craft, are While works that were created through the necklaces, rings, wristlets, humidors, cigarette art of mining which emerged during the first holders, mirrors, trays, belts, earrings, key periods

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