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Istanbul: Portrait of a City
Istanbul has a heritage of 16 centuries as an imperial city, an even longer history as the world’s meeting place of culture and commerce, and a population of diverse religious and ethnic groups. It is an exotic, compelling, complicated place, a distillation of history and a harbinger of times to come—an ideal topic for humanities programs that promote global awareness and understanding of other cultures.
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Exhibit
Recreating the life of the city through the centuries, with emphasis on the past 500 years, this humanities exhibit in twenty-eight panels features photographs, prints, engravings, and maps depicting the city in its many identities.
Panel topics include:
- Geographical, historical setting of the city
- Byzantine heritage
- the Ottoman conquest
- the Ottoman city
- Istanbul’s global reach
- Imperial government and ceremony
- Religious pluralism
- Learning
- Economic life
- Western influences
- from Empire to Republic
- Contemporary city and urban life
Exhibit format
Freestanding only. 28 panels (14 double-sided units) with 190 visual images and texts arranged behind plexiglas, 32” wide x 40” high. Panels attach to wooden poles to stand 76” high. Included free with exhibit is a 60-minute audiocassette of music from all eras of the city’s history.
Shipping weight (2 wooden crates, 1 fiber case): 480 lbs.
Floor space required: 12’ x 24’
Supplemental materials
- Brochure, illustrated survey of the city's status in the past 500 years. 50 copies free with exhibit.
- Viewer's guide featuring key points to look for, panel by panel. 50 copies free with exhibit.
- Teacher's guide featuring overview, activities, readings. 50 copies free with exhibit.
- Poster featuring evocative image of the city in its watery setting. 5 copies free with exhibit.
Available for rental
- VHS videos
- Byzantium: From Splendor to Ruin
- Süleyman, the Magnificent