Both Sides, Interconnected

Çakar continues creating connections between the past and the contemporary with her miniature technique, this time with Büyük Valide Han’s memory as her point of origin. Though her-in-depth-research of the inn’s history and the Iranian culture that influenced it for decades, Çakar initiates a new process of archiving and research at Büyük Valide Han by showcasing the similarities and differences between Mani religion and contemporary politics. Offering a glimpse into the traditions and rituals involving Büyük Valide Han, called Mader Han by Iranians, Çakar also emphasizes on the way in which the inn can be studied, and takes the viewer on journey through the historical layers of the inn’s recollection. 

Çakar explains the starting point of her research as; “Sitting on a thousand year old rug for a thousand years is the manifestation of a grievance we hold within. Fleeting if startled, our culture we reluctantly call dynamic continues in its undeserved decoration. No one can tell of the centuries passing by from the layers of constructions, nor the scenery photographs of Istanbul that reveal the dark side of the new culture politics.‘Both Sides” travels beyond the associations and relations of Büyük Valide Han’s history, and reconnects with the ancient belief system of Manichaeism that we found within the traditions it bore witness to, by hoping to give a salute to Mani Prophet, that chose to describe his religion with paintings instead of speech or writing.” photos @sahirugureren