♦
By what dim shore of the ink-black river,
by what far edge of the frowning forest,
through what mazy depth of gloom are you threading
your course to come to me, my friend?
♦
R .Tagore / from Gitanjali
Colour Archive
From the courtyard of the Church of Virgin Mary, Hah village / Midyat.
I just came back from a short trip to Mardin and Urfa. I took many photographs which I hope will be good enough to share with you. But this scene here is the first thing I want to remember among all I’ve seen, and wish to keep in my memory for a very long time.
Derviş
İsmini “Derviş” koymuştum. İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi’nin bahçesinde sessiz, düşünceli, kendi halinde oturuyordu. Kimseyi umursamaz, etrafında olup bitene ilgisiz bir hali vardı, tabi beni de fotoğrafını çekerken farketmedi, ya da umursamadı.
O anla ilgili hiçbir şey değişmesin istersiniz ya bazen, işte bu yüzden ona yaklaşmadım, yani hiç tanışmadık. Ayrılırken “mutludur değil mi?” diye geçirdiğimi hatırlıyorum içimden, herşeye rağmen mutluydu işte… öyle.
The legend of Romulus, the founder of Rome, and his brother Remus rescued and fed by a she-wolf, is represented by sculptures and pictures all over Siena. Siena is believed to be founded by Senius, son of Remus. This sculpture is right in front of the Siena Cathedral, which is believed to be stolen from the Temple of Apollo in Rome and brought to the city by Senius.
I know I am posting maybe too many sculpture photographs, the thing is I can’t help taking photos whenever I see one especially when it’s surrounded by beautiful architecture, just like this one. I love to learn about the story behind them, I love the way they get old, I love to try and find the perfect background for them just before taking a photograph, I love the pigeons resting on them, I love the fact that they will stand there “for ever” and I will find them on the same spot whenever I wish to return.
Little Tailor
I was sitting in a cafe in Siena and there was this cute little vintage shop right in front of me. There was a little boy in the shop, who I guessed was the son of the owner. He seemed quite at home and knew what he was doing while helping others inside.
I was already taking photographs of the shop and the vintage stuff outside.
Then he came outside and sat on one of the little chairs with a white shirt ( probably an old one ) in his hand. He noticed that I had a camera and was a bit shy about it.
I tried not to make him uncomfortable but I was also curious about what he was up to. I managed not to pay attention to him and I think I was able to make him forget me for a while. He started sewing, probably repairing a part of the shirt. Left handed, he was quite skillful and he seemed like he had done it before.
Most of the time I am also not comfortable on this side of the camera while taking photos of people. Do you think I should practice more?
Flea Market / Paris Style
I was in Paris just recently for business. It was a very tiring trip from start to the end and I couldn’t find the chance to see the gems of Paris this time, with only one exception; Clignancourt Flea Market. Maybe I haven’t told you before, but people who know me are familiar with it, I love used and antique objects of any kind. Clignancourt, with its hundreds of antique shops is a real wonderland for people like me. Within a limited time, I tried to see as much as possible with my sister. It is such a huge area, we decided to come back again for a few days only to visit Clignancourt. It has so much to offer, any kind of vintage and antique objects you can imagine…
So here are some photographs I took that day, I’m afraid these will have to do until next time.
The voice of beauty speaks softly, it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls.
F. Nietzsche
A song I’m so happy to have remembered again.
•
You know I see London, I see Sam’s Town
Holds my hand and lets my hair down
Rolls that world right off my shoulder
I see London, I see Sam’s Town now
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Sam’s Town , The Killers