Not far away from the retail cacophony of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar sits the workshop of a man known as 'The Lord of the Rings.' He's been making jewellery since the age of twelve that are now worn by some of the most famous people in the world from A-list actors to rock royalty. By using precious stones as a canvas, Sevan Bıçakçı has carved out a world, that the entire world, comes to see. And when he opened his studio to Showcase.
His books have been praised for being some of the best thrillers ever written. From 'The Crimson Rivers' to 'The Stone Council', French author Jean-Christophe Grange has proved himself to be one of the most prominent names when it comes to writing riveting crime novels with complex characters. Showcase's Hatice Meryem Gelgor had the chance to sit down with him when he was in Istanbul to talk about his latest book and his journey to literary fame.
They often say great minds think alike, and it's definitely true right now here in Istanbul. The city's annual International Literature Festival is underway and it's a chance for readers, writers and publishers to come together and compare notes.
Nermin Mollaoglu, Co-founder, Istanbul International Literature Festival 0:24
Centuries of history went up in flames in Paris on Monday night when the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral was ravaged by fire. The building is a world landmark and a historical treasure trove.
The Cold War was a turbulent time for the entire world, where two master narratives were pitted against one another. Communism and capitalism came head to head. Inevitably this conflict was reflected in the art world. It was in this tension that a myriad of different artworks were born, powerfully mirroring the political mood. And a new book has set out to explore this unique and complicated relationship.
John J. Curley, Professor of Art History, Wake Forest University 0:33
Imagine an illustration successfully healing you of your illness. In the lifetime of Emma Kunz, hundreds of geometric drawings were used to diagnose and treat her patients' physical or mental conditions. Kunz never really saw herself as an artist, and in fact, had never allowed her drawings to be exhibited. But now, London's Serpentine Gallery presents the first UK solo exhibition by the 20th-century Swiss visionary healer and artist. Showcase's Miranda Atty immerses herself in a selection of rarely seen drawings.
While most genres of music have remained the same how we listen to them has changed. Spotify, iTunes and even YouTube have replaced now dated MP3 players, easily scratched CDs, fragile tape cassettes and bulky eight-tracks. But one medium has survived them all and is making a comeback.
From the gardens of Tokyo to the museums of Buenos Aires, to the streets of Toronto, Henry Moore has left a global footprint of sculptures. But now for the first time ever, the British sculptor's 'Helmet Head' series, can be seen at the London museum's Wallace Collection. And as Showcase's Miranda Atty discovers, these pieces were inspired by Moore's perpetual post-war optimism.
#HenryMoore #HelmetHead #Showcase
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