Venice is the best place to live for watercolor fans due to the fact that every corner of Venice is suitable for watercolor. I have never seen this city’s equal, even having lived in Istanbul. Although I adore my own city, Venice stole my artistic heart. This particular sketch was from the canal tour departure point -full of gondolas and young, doe-eyed love.
Recently, I read the Common Edge article The Unthinkable - A World Without Venice, which had deep insights into Venice. Of course, Venice is on everyone’s bucket list. After reading the article, I went to one of my old sketchbooks which I used on my Italy tour. I was a junior in college and one of my relatives gave us free tour package as she was not able to use it herself. My sister and I jumped at the chance. This sketch was from the Piazza San Marco in Venice, with St Mark's Campanile and Basilica in the background. A very surprising thing which I learned is that St Mark’s Campanile has the bell which used to be in the Hagia Sophia in Turkey, so we waited to hear it chime, but it sounded just like all the others.
I could not stop myself and I dug deeper to find more sketches from my previous work. Yes, here it is. Those who are interested in the fine arts have to be familiar with the term “proportion.” This is because, firstly, you must learn how to see and then set the proportion which you will draw. This particular sketch was my foray into proportion. Investigating the human body is the best way to understand it and also this is the basic exercise which individuals in the field know. Another point that I want to share is that art is devotion, which demands patience.
Thanks to Thanksgiving, I had an opportunity to see my family in Turkey, although one week was not adequate. While staying in my old room, I shuffled through my old sketches and I found one of them which encouraged me to persist with my work. This is due to the fact that, during summer vacation, while preparing for drawing exams, I usually went to an art studio. It is hard to maintain your concentration when your friends are living it up at the beach. This sketch is from the art studio. This is actually, where I first learned drawing. It was surprising that after 2 years of studying there, I went almost every summer while being in Turkey as I wanted to hone my lines, and, of course, my future.
Another icon of the city is certainly Grand Central Terminal, which figures prominently in numerous films. In fact, now, social media is replete with people’s selfies and this building. Over 20 million people pass through there each year, but to me this is unsurprising as where I come from -Istanbul- is over 25 million people. Moreover, this number is increasing, unfortunately, rather than decreasing. However, this building was built in 1915. Before this date, there was an enormous train crash and, then, people decided to rebuild it. The old was almost 6 floors, but the new design as you can see from the sketch is a giant space. Moreover, I have never had a chance to use the terminal as you know the prices of tickets. In consideration of being a student, it is appropriate to take the bus, thanks to enterprising Chinese people. I am still alive, by the way.
The existence of witches raises curiosity as, actually, they existed and are still seen here and there, perhaps. You can see their settlements where they really lived and died, that is, Salem, MA. I participated in my teacher’s tour of Salem with classmates. Of course, we went in October, but were not so foolish as to go on Halloween. The important information which I learned from this visit is how English molted over time. We can observe this from the changing orthography on the tombstones. It was very much exciting and interesting. Anyway, this sketch is from the harbor, which was of great importance as Salem was a hub of trading in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The mansions and grand houses that spread out from the harbor are witness to this.
I had never imagined that this dome could weigh 1,200 tons and clad with copper. In fact, the building could easily be used by more than 1,000 individuals, simultaneously. If you look at the building with the naked eye, what I am saying does not seem correct / accurate, or an exaggeration, but it is. This week’s sketch is of MIT, again, the Kresge Auditorium, by Eero Saarinen. He was a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer. Unfortunately, he left us in his early 50s -at a time when architects normally come into their own. He has a great deal of works around the U.S. Moreover, the MIT chapel, to the rear of the building, was designed by him. I would not say that their design or lines are the best, but I would argue that it is better to consider what there are around buildings in order to better match their surroundings.
One of the icons of the city is definitely the Flatiron building, originally, the Fuller building. You may see it in many movies, in fact, nowadays, in many selfies. The style of the building is unlike that of the city’s early skyscrapers and the construction process was different as well in that there are fire escapes. This sketch is from the front view, on a summer day. This building is the quintessential example of early New York skyscrapers. One addition, due to the form of the building, winds swirl around it. Be careful, or you will have a Marilyn Monroe subway grate moment!
What architecture! Of course, this is by Santiago Calatrava. People are inspired to become architects upon seeing this building as it is uplifting for many who long to be closer to the arts. This week, the sketch is of Spain’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, which is home to all the arts as as it is both an opera house and a cultural center. Thanks to my aunt, I saw his works in my early university life. Additionally, one of his newer works is in the city, that is, the World Trade Center station (PATH). That building is truly astonishing, as well, and has brought many supporters and detractors out of the woodwork. Nevertheless, his works are unique due to the fact that he thinks like an engineer, but draws like an architect. This is why he is both more complex and convoluted than others, I think.
I should have entered, but I could not, unfortunately, as I did not have time, as always and like everyone. Who has time? This sketch was from my second visit to the city, and yet it seemed like the first time I saw New York’s buildings. Actually, this was a great trip for sightseeing with one of my wandering uncles -he has seen more than 50 countries. I was lucky, having a guide. We walked around Manhattan, perhaps, 15 miles to finish all the buildings that I wanted to explore -of course I did not. The Guggenheim is from "the greatest American architect of all time" -Frank Lloyd Wright, a modernist. I very much relished discovering his ideas, but it was a real regret that I could not observe the interior. There is always next time!
This week, the sketch comes from one of the most important, prestigious universities in the U.S., that is, MIT. Although there are great deal of buildings which I would like to sketch -of course, the Stata Center and the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy by Frank Gehry, the Kresge Auditorium by Eero Saarinen or Simmons Hall by Steven Holl (don’t worry, these are on the way), I preferred drawing the main entrance of the university where many individuals try to take a photo, or, rather, selfies! At any rate, the fact that I want to point out is -actually, trying to figure it out- is a new green place which is next to the bus stop. The university demolished one of their dormitories- I guess- and now nothing remains except what appears to be a steel sculpture. I think that they have a promising plan for this place. Before leaving, thank you, MIT, and all the other universities located in Boston and raising Boston rents! Students are truly very happy to pay an arm and a leg in rent!
It is very much a modest question, which asked I myself when I first saw this building, that is, how can people be below the cantilever of the ICA without any concern? Perhaps, I am not the only one who has wondered this. Of course, I (we) trust in the architects and engineers behind these projects -their knowledge and mastery of new materials, and yet another question presents itself: should a public space give individuals a burdensome atmosphere? This is because the concept for the ground level is having a public space freely accessible to visitors as part of the Harbor Walk (under construction as of writing). The walking public is grateful for this access, but if I am not comfortable in that space, what is the point? In fact, you can see that my sketch is in front of the building, not under the cantilever, unfortunately -I wish I could have listened to the concert to view the acoustics and the Boston skyline.
What is a book? This is a controversial question as at first glance, everyone might just think that it is an informative tool which can be read. What if I were to say that it can be an ornamental tool, of course, reserved for fancy libraries or study rooms which have never been opened in this era -due to the internet. Actually, implementing books to decorate a space is not new in the architectural field, especially for interior spaces, but the ones I have recently seen at the Boston Public Library Copley Square Branch are certainly an embellishment. The nuance of colorization is relevant to the ceiling detail and display elements. This sketch is from there. In fact, I waited almost 15 minutes in front of the door to capture this perspective it was so popular. (You know Bostonians.)
In Boston, there are a great deal of buildings which have born witness to history. This is because it is truly an old settlement from colonial times. Mostly, these buildings can be seen in Boston proper, downtown, and the North End. To see them imparts individuals -mostly architects- the architectural in ethos of old Boston. It is possible to see how a city molted from the old into the new, traditional to modern. This sketch is from the middle of downtown, where skyscrapers defy history through their size and shape. Perhaps the most important building in Boston is the Old State House, as it has an important meaning for all people who live in the U.S.. On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed from the east balcony. Hence, this building is proof of history to them, and, in fact, to us -architects.
This is only a one-day trip into the city. On this trip, there is ample time to see it the way I had wanted to see it the last time, but without the tourists gawking. Everything is everywhere -too many people on plotted, flat streets. Although I relish in the city’ turmoil, this was an exaggeration as people looked crazed. I picked up lunch at a street vendor’s. It was terrible, and, I, of course, escaped to Central Park where everything is calm and there is no noise from the maddening crowds. But, wouldn’t you know, it was packed there as well. Instead of listening to birds’ songs, I found myself hearing children’s bawling and a street drummer who did not know how to stop. The sketch is from the park.
While taking one of my classes at the BAC, I visited the MGH Institute of Health Professions. There were several spaces which I paid attention to and yet, specifically, one that stood out was the Healing Garden. This place is located on the roof of one of the buildings. A great landscape welcomes individuals through the Charles River. It was very much an interesting experience for me as people called it “the Healing Garden” and yet there was a droning noise which was coming from the next door Liberty Hotel’s air vents, unfortunately. Despite everything, this place must be seen as it has a different feeling, being in green in the middle of mixed buildings. This sketch is from the beginning of the garden -small, but cozy.
Once upon a time, where horses were swarming, instead of cars and buildings taking up space, and where the environment was greener than now, there was a place which today we call the Shawmut peninsula. Today, perhaps, many do not know how Beacon Hill and the State House were brought about, but it is recognizable that there is a slope behind it. There was a real hill before people began to dig it up to fill out what would become the Back Bay. Regardless, this sketch is a view of the State House -today’s Boston- from MGH. It is apparent that everywhere there are buildings. Fortunately, Bostonians have many pleasant parks, such as Boston Common and the Public Gardens.
A late spring zephyr whistling in my ears gives me chills in this intimate landscape. People are incessantly walking along the river’s edge; friends and lovers. No one disturbs anyone. This sketch is near Harvard Square, on Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA. The majority of them are students. I know this from the t-shirts they are sporting, and yet some of them are naked in this May cold -preposterously. Of course, they deserve this weather after a severe winter. Despite everything, Boston may be the finest place for them as it is beautifully designed for them.
Mimar Sinan Fine Arts university library is probably one of my best study places as a site looking out on the Bosphorus is hard to find in today’s Istanbul. Indeed, if the purpose of this florid landscape serves as an educational building, individuals are certainly taken back. I, consequently, do not thirst for libraries although I saw many libraries in European cities. Nothing is changed -it is still my fondest study, -and yet I have discovered another swanky library which egregiously eclipses many other libraries I have seen thus far, that is, the Boston Public library. This sketch is from the main study room, in the old wing. It is truly mystical. While studying within the building, it is possible to be lost in history. In fact, if one experiences its courtyard, one may simply immure one’s self. -I do.
A place where you undergo the deprivation of existence, a lack of life, directness and the silence of welfare transmits a great deal of senses, perhaps, which words can not begin to describe, that is, the Mental Health Building Chapel, Boston Government Service Center -by Paul Rudolph. The space is entirely concrete material. This leads individuals to experimenting with the power of grey- concrete and the natural light -from the opening in the ceiling. The architect’s premeditation is certainly felicitous as the feeling of space gives chills with the monumentalization of concrete. It is possible to be perceptually far from our ephemeral lives in this space. This is by merit the fact that the space is a chapel, a place for prayer and a transition point.
Finding solitude from the crowd, fracas and traffic is ultimately unprocurable, in today’s Istanbul. This leads many to getting away, perhaps, merely for the weekend. And yet, Istanbul's population believes that this escape is not far from the city, knowing very well that the places where they can banish these problems of modern life is the islands. This sketch was done from one of my friends’ homes on Burgaz Island -May, 2012. The view is of Istanbul, and, genuinely, I can say that Istanbul is molting. Istanbul is replete with buildings, even if my sketch does not have any as they were not there at the time. Now, they are everywhere. Despite everything, I wish that the islands could have equanimity and maintain their halcyon years.
