Finally managed to track down the peripatetic
Gunj, who has been busier than a bee in a clover patch organizing an Istanbul show for
Bukhara-based Uzbek miniaturist
Jahongir Ashurov.
Gunj (right) and Friend
We eventually retired to the
Gulluoglu Baklava Shop near the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, which according to Gunj has the best
Baklava in Istanbul if not the world. The exhibition, I am informed, will open on November 16, with a reception at 5:00 PM and run through Nov. 26, which means that if you book airplane tickets now you will just be able to make the opening scene, which should be a real lalapalooza. Expect rivers of
raki to flow. The show will be at the Yildiz Sarayi, which is an old Ottoman palace at Barbaros Bulvari, Besiktas, in Istanbul. I suggest you stay at the
Grand Hotel Londres in Beyoglu, that is if you can get reservations, since the place is usually booked up tighter than a tick in a hound dog’s ear.
Here is a sampling of the miniatures which will be on display, and for sale:
Miniature of famous philosopher and doctor
Ibn-i Sina, alias Avicenna (980–1037).
Tears running down Ibn-i Sina’s face. They are both tears of joy because he has just discovered a new medicinal plant and tears of sadness, since he discovered the plant too late to cure the illness from which his son died.
For a good introduction to Ibn-i Sina’s thought see:
For a good biography see:
I have both of these items in my Scriptorium and can recommend them highly if you want to get up to speed on Ibn-i Sina.
Fellow Bibliophile reading a book
Detail of Fellow Bibliophile
Lovely Bibliophile. I don’t doubt that she has a fantastic
Scriptorium.
Amir Timur, a.k.a. Tamerlane leading his horse by the Tomb of the saint Turk-i Candi (a.k.a Turki Jandi) in Bukhara. He dismounted to show respect to the saint. By the way, the
Saint’s Tomb still exists and can be seen in Bukhara. Don’t miss it the next time you’re in Uzbekistan.
Out of respect for Turk-i Candi Tamerlane also wrapped up the hooves of his horse so they would not make so much noise while he was passing by the tomb.
Lady with Hanky
Detail of Lady with Hanky
Bathing Girl
Detail of Bathing Girl
Peeping Tom watching Bathing Girl
A Naughty Demon trying on the Bathing Beauty’s boots
Faces in Rocks
This is just a brief sampling of the many miniatures which will be on display. Pop over to Istanbul to see more . . .
Labels: Gunj, Istanbul, Jahongir Ashurov, Miniatures, Turkey
Miniature by Jahongir Ashurov:
Musician
Detail of Musician
Camels
