The Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting Exhibition

Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Pera Museum, welcomes “The Lure of the East” British Orientalist Painting exhibition which is organised in collaboration with Tate Britain and British Council and showcasing the most significant examples of British orientalist painting worldwide.

The Lure of the East exhibition, after taking place in the USA at Yale Center for British Art galleries in February 2008 and Linbury Gallery of Tate Britain in June 2008 and glamourising the visitors, spreads over three floors of Pera Museum.

EVENTS AROUND THE LURE OF THE EAST EXHIBITION

Cultural Question Time

12 November 2008, Wednesday 18.30
“Nous sommes Orientaux!” declared Claudia Roden to a packed auditorium of heads of cultural institutions, academics, students and Turkish TV crews. The Egyptian-born writer, who single-handedly introduced the British public to Middle Eastern food in 1968, and revolutionised not only our eating habits but the UK's view of the Middle East, joined a prominent line-up at a Cultural Question Time event in Istanbul. Designed to coincide with the showing of “Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting” the aim of the event was to draw out a lively, contemporary debate about some of the more controversial issues raised by the exhibition. The formidable panel included Palestinian musician and broadcaster Reem Kelani; the author and Turkey Representative of International Crisis Group, Hugh Pope; international curator Vasif Kortun, and the eminent Turkish historian Edhem Eldem.

Modelled on the popular BBC TV series, this properly interactive event was Intercultural Dialogue in action. A scan of the audience demonstrated that we had succeeded in attracting an ethnically and religiously diverse audience - both young and old - who shared one ambition: to exchange views. Rosemary Arnott, British Council Director Turkey and Black Sea set the tone for the event by announcing at the outset: “I see this exhibition as a unique opportunity - a catalyst - for a frank discussion about our shared history: points of connection and areas of conflict." Questions ranging from global identity, cultural imperialism and the conflict of self-representation, together with lively responses from the panellists, were deftly chaired by Andrea Rose, British Council Director of Visual Arts. Acknowledging the contribution of her fellow countryman Edward Said, Kelani offered a new and radical view on the subject: “Orientalism is not good or bad per se. It’s like religion or music. There’s good Orientalism and bad Orientalism”, whilst Kortun reminded us that the first market for Orientalist painting was in the Gulf. The event was broadcast on national TV, ensuring that we reached a huge audience, and participants have asked for more editions of Cultural Question Time. This is a new event developed specially for this exhibition, but it clearly has global possibility and appeal.

Pera Museum
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65
34443 Tepebaşı - Beyoğlu - İstanbul
http://www.peramuzesi.org.tr/

An Evening with Reem Kelani and a special appearance by Selim Sesler

11 November 2008, Tuesday 21:30
Famous Palestinian vocalist, musician and radio presenter Reem Kelani found international recognition with the 2006 release of her debut album “Sprinting Gazelle-Palestinian Songs from the Motherland and the Diaspora”. Kelani, having the chance to work with bands from various countries and enjoying jazz rhythms in her tunes, explores the richness of her cultural identity by including traditional Palestinian folk music and lyrics by well-known Palestinian poets in her work. Kelani was joined on the stage by clarinet virtuoso Selim Sesler. Colourful tunes of East came together with charming joy of Selim Sesler’s music and presented a peerless performance fusing Roma and Palestinian traditions.

This event was in the scope of “The Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting” exhibition taking place at Pera Museum, organised with the collaboration of Tate Britain and British Council until January 11. Special thanks to Pozitif for their support.

Reem Kelani – vocal, frame drums, Nubian tanbur, Shruti box
Selim Sesler – clarinet
Bruno Heinen – piano
Bülent Sesler – qanun
Ryan Trebilcock – double bass
Salih Onur – percussion

Babylon
Şeyhbender Sokak No:3 Tünel, Asmalımescit
Beyoğlu - İstanbul
http://www.babylon-ist.com/

British Film Programme

October-December 2008
A film programme at Pera Museum devised in cooperation with BC Turkey and BC Films Dept will explore some of the issues raised in the exhibition and broaden the exhibition’s appeal. The programme includes, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “English Patient”, “Yasmin”, “East is East” and “My Beautiful Launderette”

For further information please visit http://www.peramuzesi.org.tr/perafilm.html

Pera Museum
Meşrutiyet Caddesi No.65
34443 Tepebaşı - Beyoğlu - İstanbul