Episode Two: The Art of Islamic Illumination, with Master Illuminator Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak
This documentary series explores the lives, work, and reflections of three exceptional craftsmen and women based in Istanbul, Turkey: a calligrapher, an illuminator, and a bookbinder. Operating at the pinnacle of their respective professions, these films follow their journey through Islamic art, and shine a light on the value of traditional art and the ethics that support it. These films explore the inextricable links between religion and art, and how each craft is a product of, and opens a window into Islamic theology, culture, and history.
What does it take to be a master illuminator? What is the relationship between illumination and calligraphy? What are the aesthetic principles that define this rich and diverse tradition?
In this episode, we talk to master illuminator Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak about the history of illumination, the complex processes involved in artistic production, and the multiple influences that inspire her work.
This documentary series concludes the one-year AIWG project workshop "Beauty and Islamic Theology", a joint research program of the Centre for Islamic Theology at the Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen and the Chair of Islamic Religious Studies at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg.
Director: Asude Yağmur Durgun
Cinematography: Mert Sönmez, Ömer Çolak
Sound: Meryem Ayşe Göktaş
Editor: Ahmed Mücahid Aydoğan
Music: Tanburi Cemil Bey
Project Managers: Dr Bilal Badat (University of Tübingen), Dr Farid Suleiman (University of Erlangen).
Project Assistant: Ertul Ortabaş (University of Tübingen)
Special Thanks: Avrasya Danışmanlık