Cosmic Consciousness


Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60611

October 10 through November 9, 2018
Opening reception, October 10, 6-8 PM
To reserve a place for the opening please rsvp by calling 312-263-0644 (ext. 825) or sending an email to rsvp.chicago@mfa.gov.tr


A few years ago, I traveled extensively through central Turkey photographing the ancient archeologic sites of the Hittites and of the origins of human society and agriculture. These locations included Hattusha, Shapinuva and Chatal Hoyuk. I used these photographs as the background for two large-scale art works in the Cosmic Consciousness series. These gigantic, 10 x 20 foot pieces were commissioned by the University of Chicago and were installed at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, and later at the Oriental Institute.

 
Veil includes hundreds of photographs that I took from the excavations in Chatal Hoyuk, the oldest known city, over 10,000 years old, located near Konya. This location may be the actual origin of cities and of agriculture. 

The Hittite language is the oldest known Indo-European language. Cassiopeia has hundreds of photographs from the Hittite world, a mixture from the administrative capital of Hattusha, and the current archeological diggings at Shapinuva, the religious center. The Shapinuva photographs include images of Aygul Suel and her archeological team.

These pieces deal with the source of our cosmic existence, and of our cultural origins. Galactic nebula structures, with thousands of neuronal profiles, intersect with the photographs. Cosmic origins, stellar origins and cultural origins overlap and intertwine.

At the Consulate, much smaller versions of these two pieces will be displayed, along with reproductions of the underlying photographs and neuronal patterns. 

At the opening reception I will give a talk explaining these two pieces, and the possible link between ancient Turkey and Lithuania. This particular historical link involves Dr. Jonas Basanavicius, the father of Lithuania’s independence. 

At the opening reception space is limited, so advanced registration is necessary.