Spotlight on Works of Istanbul’s Eye, Photojournalist Ara Güler

Qatar Museums throws open a photographic exhibition at MIA (Museum of Islamic Arts) that takes us through the lens of multifaceted international photojournalist Ara Güler discovering the spirit of Istanbul while encountering real people and the architectural landscapes that form the canvas for his photographic brilliance.

The exhibition featuring close to 155 photographs of the renowned photojournalist Ara Güler runs until November 9, 2024, at the Museum of Islamic Arts, offering an in-depth journey of Istanbul.

The opening of the exhibition was graced by the presence of the CEO of Qatar Museums, Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Qatar His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Göksu.

“In the Footsteps of Ara Güler: Exploring the Photographer’s Legacy” features 155 photographs that highlight Ara Güler’s exceptional talent for capturing Turkey’s vibrant life and historical landmarks as well as portraits of the 20th century’s most recognisable figures.

It includes a captivating collection of correspondence, photographic equipment, cameras, and other personal memorabilia from the Ara Güler Archives and Research Center in Istanbul. Organised into four sections, the exhibition begins with Güler’s evocative images of Istanbul, then explores Turkey’s archaeological heritage sites. It continues with portraits of notable 20th-century figures and concludes with his experimental film work, Hero’s End.

This extensive exhibition celebrates Güler’s profound dedication to capturing the spirit of Turkey and its rich cultural heritage through his photography.

The Story from the Curator

Curated by Sheikha Maryam Al Thani and the Ara Güler Museum, the exhibition showcases the mastery of Güler’s work, providing a deep dive into the stories behind each photograph, offering a comprehensive overview of his legacy. We speak to Sheikha Maryam Hassan Al Thani, Exhibition Co-Curator at Qatar Museums to understand how the exhibition came into being.

The exhibition on show at the fourth floor of MIA, has its connection to the artefacts already showcased at MIA, Gallery 12: “Arts of Turkey and the Ottoman Provinces”.

Sheikha Maryam explains the curatorial process, “Our curatorial approach evolved through dialogue between the Ara Güler Museum and Qatar Museums. We aimed to showcase Güler’s multifaceted nature as a photographer. The unique space at Gallery 12 inspired a visual conversation between Güler’s work and historical artifacts. We focused on key themes to introduce Güler to the Qatari public, incorporating a transparent design element creating a dialogue with the galleries below. This integration complements MIA’s architecture and showcases Istanbul from the 1950s to 1970s through Güler’s striking black and white images. Our approach highlights connections between Turkey and Qatar, allowing visitors to experience the architectural and cultural dialogue between past and present, mirroring Güler’s ability to capture Istanbul’s essence across time. “

The design of the space replicates the alleys of Istanbul through life-large photographs of Güler giving visitors an immersive experience. Each photograph takes us deeper into the life and history of the city and the times they were set in.

Güler’s unique perspective as an”Istanbulite” plays an important role in this exhibition, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

“We showcase his renowned black and white images of Istanbul from the 1950s onwards, alongside lesser-known works like Aphrodisias and Nemrut Dağ. The ‘Eternal Tapestry’ section illustrates Güler’s lifelong documentation of Istanbul, curated to follow his typical route from Beyoğlu to Taksim and over the famous Galata Bridge. This arrangement gives visitors insight into his daily life and connection with Istanbul,” says Sheikha Maryam.

Qatar Museums is also creating an interactive route map for their website, allowing people to experience Istanbul through Güler’s eyes.

“Additionally, we’re developing a photography walking route in Qatar, encouraging visitors to capture Doha’s iconic locations, bridging the two cities culturally and inspiring a renewed perspective on urban landscapes,” says Sheikha Maryam on how the exhibition of Güler, is carried forward in more ways than just a display of his works.

An Exhibition for All

Sheikha Maryam confirms that the exhibition offers multiple takeaways about Güler and Turkey. “Visitors will discover Güler’s varied approaches to photography, inspiring exploration and capturing essence. The ‘In Good Company’ section showcases his skill in portraying prominent creative figures. The exhibition also highlights Güler as a cultural explorer and preservationist, exemplified by his rediscovery of Aphrodisias, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This presents Güler as a multifaceted artist and cultural ambassador who not only documented Istanbul and Turkey but also played a crucial role in preserving and promoting its heritage globally. It invites visitors to see Turkey through Güler’s eyes – as a land of vibrant urban life, rich history, and enduring cultural significance,” she says.

As a visitor from India, my eyes led me to the photograph of Indira Gandhi, the first and only female Prime Minister of India who ruled for three consecutive terms until she was assassinated in 1984. Salvator Dali, Pablo Picasso and Tennessee Willams feature in the segment aptly termed In Good Company, and Guler was said to have formed lasting friendships during these assignments.

What Sheikha Maryam loves most about this classic photography show is Güler’s ability to capture the essence of Istanbul and its people with such depth and authenticity, revealing its evolution while preserving timeless moments.

“From his iconic Istanbul street scenes to his pivotal archaeological work at Aphrodisias, an ancient Greek city in western Turkey, and his intimate portraits in “In Good Company,” Güler’s versatility shines through,” she says.

His experimental film “Hero’s End” adds another dimension, showcasing his storytelling prowess beyond still images.

“These diverse aspects of Güler’s work—urban documentation, archaeological exploration, portraiture, and filmmaking—speak to his multifaceted talent and deep commitment to preserving and sharing Turkey’s cultural heritage. Over time, his images continue to inspire, educate, and foster cultural understanding among our museum visitors,” she says.

All the way from Turkey

Tuana Pulak, Exhibition Manager, Ara Güler Museum has been working as the exhibition manager of the Ara Güler Museum and has a closer tie with the works of this photojournalist.

She says, “Being the exhibitions manager at the Ara Güler Museum is a great privilege. Ara Güler’s prolific career as a photojournalist, spanning over 70 years, has resulted in a vast archive that captures a wide range of themes, such as archaeological sites, Istanbul, portraits of both well-known artists and literary figures and the residents of cities, and photographs reaching wide across Turkey and abroad from the United States to Indonesia.”

As the Exhibition Manager, her role is quite challenging yet rewarding, “ Determining the content of each future exhibition along with the team at the Ara Güler Archives and Research Center and finding ways of showing both the well-known works of Ara Güler while also introducing previously unseen works in a careful manner, in order to promote Ara Güler’s legacy to future generations.”

She gives us an insight into Ara Güler’s work. She says, “Güler’s work has a timeless quality. His portraits of people and his photographs of Istanbul in particular encapsulate the various layers of the ever-changing city and its residents. In each photograph, he captures both the beauty and allure of the city that he called home.”

Ara Güler also has a humanist approach to photography. The viewer comes across characters from all walks of life. At times, you can see that Ara Güler has developed a genuine relationship or familiarity with his subjects, which is reflected in the image.

“We often try to combine Ara Güler’s photography with accompanying ephemera within our exhibitions in order to further present his multi-disciplinary artistic identity, which usually surprises the audience,” she adds.

All Images Courtesy Qatar Museums.