Modern Turkey’s Discovery of the Ottoman Heritage: (original) (raw)

Modern Turkey’s Discovery of the Ottoman Heritage: The Alİ Saİm Ülgen Archive The Open Archive project aims to present a cross-section of the state of cultural assets and conservation efforts in Turkey before the 1960s, based on the world of Ali Saim Ülgen, researcher, architect, and specialist in restoration of classical Ottoman architecture. One of the pioneering architectural restoration experts of Turkey, Ülgen carried out hundreds of restorations not only in Turkey but also in Libya, Jerusalem, and Baghdad, collecting and producing all kinds of materials that document historical works, such as construction photographs, newspaper clippings, and articles, thus creating an extensive foundation for the books he would subsequently write. Unfortunately, he passed away too soon to complete many of his planned works. The material Ülgen collected during his travels, not only in the course of the administrative duties he assumed during the long years he worked at the General Directorate of Foundations, but also as an aficionado and an academic, has been meticulously preserved by his family. After preliminary classification by the Foundation of Architecture Turkey, these documents are now being digitized and catalogued at SALT Research for the use of researchers. The countless documents and photographs in the Ali Saim Ülgen Archive constitute an unparalleled visual resource on our cultural heritage as well as offering very important scientific data for new restoration projects. The Archive also sheds light on the architectural history, the approaches to restoration, and the preservation policies of an era. The Open Archive exhibition introduces Ülgen’s unmatched collection of photographs, writings, notes, plans, and building surveys, together with examples of his manuscripts, to all those interested. Modern Turkey’s Discovery of the Ottoman Heritage: The Ali Saim Ülgen Archive February 8 – March 24, 2013 SALT Galata, Open Archive