Saturday, February 27, 2016

10 a.m. Refreshments     10:30 a.m.  Program

 “Back to the Future:
Reconstruction of Anatolian Carpets from
Renaissance Paintings”
with
Ali Riza Tuna
Independent Researcher & Collector, Geneva

 In many of their masterpieces, Renaissance painters depicted some of the most beautiful Anatolian carpets that have not survived to our time. Through research and art historical comparisons, Ali Tuna, along with his rug-weaving colleagues, has reconstructed, in original knotting technique, the designs of three carpets depicted in famous renaissance paintings by Vittorio Ghirlandaio, Piero della Francesca and Lorenzo Lotto.  These carpets have been woven to true scale, and provide new visual and aesthetic experiences.  The methodology of recreating the carpets today also answers several questions about the way these painters have rendered the reality of the carpets and the importance of the carpets in the overall composition and color scheme.

Ali Riza Tuna was born in Istanbul and graduated as an Engineer in France.  He is a retired manager from an international company in Geneva, Switzerland.  Since 1980, he has been passionate about Anatolian textiles as a collector, but also as independent researcher and lecturer.  He has presented papers at international carpet conferences, and loaned pieces from his collection to several exhibitions.  Mr. Tuna currently focuses overall on the aesthetics and design development of the Turkish rugs of 13th -16th centuries, as well as on the study of kilims and other weavings of Anatolia.  He invites TMA members to bring examples of classical carpets to show & tell, particularly ones that can be related to the theme of his presentation.

Luther Hall,  Lower Level     St. Bede’s Episcopal Church

3590 Grand View Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA  90066-1904

Just south of the 10 freeway, and west of the 405, near the intersection of Centinela and Palms.  Free parking.

Admission:    TMA/SC members  Gratis . . . . .  Guests  $10