Exhibits > in Ankara + Duluth

In March 2008, work from the Turkish American Projects by University of Minnesota Duluth students was exhibited at Baskent University in Ankara, Turkey. Congratulations to students whose work was included in this international exchange!

Tulip & Arabesque Online Exhibit

http://www.d.umn.edu/~jrock2/tulip/

Over the past few years, I have integrated several large assignments into my teaching which address cultural complexity in design, specifically related to the Turkish American Exchange projects. My goal has been to introduce students to aspects of global culture, identifying traditional formal roots in contemporary design. I have created projects that are appropriate to our digital design curriculum and integrated Turkish design influences into foundations courses. More advanced students have been asked to delve a bit deeper into contemporary Turkish design and to draw off of traditional literature. In each case, students benefit by expanding their their awareness of how culture travels across borders. Students begin to make connections between the visual culture they live in and the traditions and cross-fertilizations that feed it. This global and historical sensitization is crucial for any artist or designer today. Design is a richly diverse activity that springs from all corners of culture and a vital tool for building bridges between diverse groups. One creative approach to teaching includes the evolution and re-integration of traditional culture, and influences from global culture, into art foundations curriculum, Ours has been a creative process… introducing students to cultural artifacts as a first step in stimulating curiosity and formal invention.

-Joellyn Rock

More Carpet Designs > Fall 2007

In the Fall 2007, another group of 2d Digital Design students have completed the Digital Carpet Project.

Here are some of their designs, and their reflections on the project:

This original design by Amara Barthelemy has a traditional, folk art symmetry.

This carpet by Jane Olila has a more contemporary, asymmetrical design.

Dijital Pasaj comments

Hi Joellyn, this is Matt Mulliner. I just took a look at some of the
comic book work you had linked onto your blog from the Turkey students.
There is a ton of work! WOW!

I noticed a few of them were similar to some of the stuff in our class.
One I saw that had the word/name (I’m not sure which) Can Aygun on
it, was very similar to some of the work that Ben from our class was
doing. It reminded me of the Fitger’s brewhouse video.

Ben Luoma’s Brewhouse image

Also the one with the shopping at the Duluth Pack store from my class is similar to
the one that looks like a girl shopping at a record store? It is cool
to see similarities in illustration style across the world… some may
be from photoshop effects but still very cool! It might be
interesting to organize the two sets (ours and theirs) together somehow
to suggest some similarities.

Dijital Pasaj Website…
http://www.d.umn.edu/~jrock2/dijital_pasaj/

More comments by UMD students…

My favorite is the out of focus one, it is so mysterious and I really
wish I could read it, but I might get more out of it because I can’t…

I think if you did want a video made of some of their work it might be
fun to put some of these in there too as moving stills keyframed around
with final cut.

One last comment, the one that is actually on the blog – the second
one, is very interesting to me. It is also pretty mysterious and it is
kind of strange to see those really graphic circles come into the
design because I see a lot of that style in American, new corporate
design. Very cool to see that style being incorporated in a more
graphic and interesting way. It pushes the average corporate design a
bit farther into something a little more deep.

Thanks for telling me about these.
Matt

P.S. One of the downloads didn’t work. Maybe it was just my computer,
just thought I would let you know.

Dijital Pasaj > Başkent

How exciting to receive PDFs of art work by Murat’s students in Ankara Turkey for their own version of Dijital Pasaj. They have created comic books and movies that tell stories about their daily lives in Ankara. I will post a few jpgs here to give you an idea of their work. Students at UMD will be inspired by the concept and craft of these digital narratives!

A few examples of work by students of Murat Devrim Alilgan at Başkent University >>

a common theme in the work of both Turkish and American students is sleep…

PDFs of comic books / resize in your PDF window and zoom in to view>>>

Download file

Download file

Download file

More images in extended entry…

Rumi Poetry > Graphic Design 1

Rumi has had a significant influence on both Persian and Turkish literature throughout the centuries and is now one of the most widely read poets in America. (Persian: مولانا جلال الدین محمد رومی, Turkish: Mevlânâ Celâleddin Mehmed Rumi), known in the English-speaking world as Rumi. The year 2007 was declared as the “International Rumi Year” by UNESCO in March 2006. This is commemoration of Rumi’s 800th birthday anniversary, with celebrations taking place in various locations around the world.

Graphic Design 1 students were introduced to the poetry of Rumi, the 13th Century mystic whose work transcends national and ethnic borders. Students were asked to select a translated version of one of Rumi’s works and create a digital word + image interpretation of their own. They determined the size and format of their expressive typographic piece. Students are urged to be very experimental with this work, investigating a contemporary connection to the poem lifted from another time and place.

These final versions could use any format and materials that the student desired.
Some ended up taking 3 dimensional form as students were urged to move out of
their usual comfort zone in graphic design.

We Three poem interpreted by Delilah Effinger

View image
another by Brandon Favre

interactive poetry by Angela Crea

Kevin Marx found contemporary resonances in a Rumi Poem.
He had words from the poem stamped onto military dog tags.

See more about Rumi projects below…

Rumi Links:

International Rumi Year
http://www.observercyprus.com/observer/NewsDetails.aspx?id=1349

read about Rumi on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalal_ad-Din_Muhammad_Rumi

Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi
http://www.mevlana.net/

Rumi poems
http://www.rumi.org.uk/poems.html

Rumi on Fire
http://www.rumionfire.com/

Coleman Barks versions
http://www.colemanbarks.com

Rumi Poetry Accordion Books

book by Bryan Rudell

2d Digital Design foundations classes were introduced to the poetry of Rumi, the 13th Century mystic whose work transcends national and ethnic borders. Rumi has had a significant influence on both Persian and Turkish literature throughout the centuries and is now one of the most widely read poets in America. Students were asked to select a translated version of one of Rumi’s works and create a digital word + image interpretation of their own. Final versions take the form of mixed media accordion books.

Rumi Links:

Rumi, the 13th century philosopher has been commemorated around Turkey and the world with various activities and performances since the beginning of this year which has been declared by the United Nations Educatinal, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the ”Year of Mevlana.”

A Celebration of Rumi in Turkey

read about Rumi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalal_ad-Din_Muhammad_Rumi

Rumi poems

http://www.rumi.org.uk/poems.html

Rumi poems

http://www.rumionfire.com/

Rumi poems

http://www.colemanbarks.com

book by Amber Parker

View showcase of student books from Fall 2006

Book by Jared Wick

Book by Breanna Caywood

Rumi celebration in Turkey

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=84636

Turkey celebrates Rumi’s birthday with a giant Sema performance

Friday, September 28, 2007

ISTANBUL – Turkish Daily News

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism together with Konya’s directorate of culture, governor and residents will hold festivities Sept. 30 to celebrate the 800th birthday of famous Anatolian philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, tourism and culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay said yesterday.

Rumi, the 13th century philosopher has been commemorated around Turkey and the world with various activities and performances since the beginning of this year which has been declared by the United Nations Educatinal, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the ”Year of Mevlana.”

Collaboration

Tulip and Arabesque is an international collaboration that was initiated by:

Alison Aune, Associate Professor of Art Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Joellyn Rock, Assistant Professor of Art + Design at the University of Minnesota Duluth

This collaboration has included:
Art Education and Digital Design students and faculty from the University of Minnesota Duluth
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program grantees, Natalie Patrick and Amber Szerpicki
Elementary and Middle School age children from Duluth Minnesota

Graphic Design students and faculty from Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey

Special Thanks to our Turkish colleagues, professors Halime Fişenk and Murat Devrim Atilgan, and Dean Dr. Filiz Yenişehirlioğlu of Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey.

This project was made possible with support from:
The Turkish American Alliance of the School of Fine Arts (SFA), University of Minnesota Duluth, Dean Jack Bowman and Julia Gillett, grant writer; SFA funding of two faculty Small Chancellor’s Grants and an American-Turkish Alliance Exchange Research Grant; SFA Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program grants to art and design students Natalie Patrick and Amber Szerpicki; Funding from The Office of International Programs (OIP) Interdisciplinary International Institutional Partnership Grants; The Department of Art + Design Head Virginia Jenkins; Professor Ron Marchese, Sociology and Anthropology, University of Minnesota Duluth and with donations from UMD Stores Art Supplies.

About the Tulip & Arabesque motifs

from notes by Alison Aune:

The traditional Turkish motifs of the Tulip and Arabesque have had multiple meanings throughout history. For this project, we traced the Tulip, where it was a heraldic motif used throughout the Ottoman Empire, and we followed the Islamic arabesque with its interlacing and continuous vines found in ceramic tiles and carpets. Inspired by these original sources, we created artworks as a way to understand, and celebrate, these ancient patterns of peace.

Links to Symmetry and Pattern Resources on the web >>>

Symmetry and Pattern: The Art of Oriental Carpets
In this online exhibit, the study of symmetry is used to analyze
patterns in Oriental carpets. A joint project of The Textile Museum
and The Math Forum. http://mathforum.org/geometry/rugs/

Kilims are Turkish rugs which come from the Anatolian Plateau in
Central Turkey, also called “Cappadocia” . The rugs have always been
woven entirely by hand, the wool twisted into threads with the use of
small, wooden spindles which are still in use today. Homemade dyes
were used, and many families kept secret their knowledge of which
leaves, flowers, roots or vegetables would yield the most radiant
colors.
Here are some photos of a kilim weaver at work on her own piece. Kilims
are more than interior decorations; they are a part of a history of
both the individual and the culture that created them. By watching the
creative process, we want you to feel a connection to this ancient art.
http://www.kilimwomen.com/
Contact Barbara Sher at barbara@kilimwomen.com if you are interested…

Turkish Carpets & Rugs Portal
http://www.turkhali.org/

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/carpet.htm

http://www.theottomans.org aims to become the leading information portal
regarding the history, military, culture and arts of the Ottoman
Empire that has once dominated a large territory from Egypt to Russia,
from India to Austria. Theottomans.org will be sponsorship oriented
non-commercial web site which will be followed by http://www.theottomans.com,
a platform that will trade Ottoman art, and http://www.theottomans.net, the
future home of the interactive game “Constantinople 1453”.
http://www.theottomans.org/english/index.asp

ISLAMIC PATTERNS & GEOMETRY
Geometric motifs were popular with Islamic artists and designers in all
parts of the world, for decorating almost every surface, whether walls
or floors, pots or lamps, book covers or textiles. As Islam spread
from nation to nation and region to region, Islamic artists combined
their penchant for geometry with existing traditions, creating a new
and distinctive Islamic art. This art expressed the logic and order
inherent in the Islamic vision of the universe.
http://www.salaam.co.uk/themeofthemonth/march02_index.php?l=3

gallery of images
http://www.salaam.co.uk/themeofthemonth/march02_index.php?l=6

Taprats: Computer-Generated Islamic Star Patterns … Symmetries of
Islamic Geomertical Patterns
http://www.cgl.uwaterloo.ca/~csk/washington/taprats/

Islamic Geometric Patterns

Jay Bonner is a specialist in the design of Islamic geometric patterns.
Some 25 years ago he rediscovered the lost techniques used by
traditional Muslim pattern designers. These techniques provide the
means to recreate even the most complex patterns used by Islamic
cultures of the past, as well as to create original Islamic geometric
patterns that are wholly in keeping with this great tradition.
http://www.bonner-design.com/geometric/

The Nature of Islamic Ornament: Geometric Patterns | Special …

The Nature of Islamic Ornament: Geometric Patterns Islamic Art:
Overview | VegetalPatterns | Calligraphy | Figural Representation …
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/geom/hd_geom.htm

Islamic Architecture – mosques & palaces.
ISLAMIC ART; CALLIGRAPHY; CARPETS; FLORAL PATTERNS; METALWORK;.
ISLAMICART & ARCHITECTURE … 01 Islamic Patterns : An Analytical &
Cosmological Approach …
http://www.islamicarchitecture.org

Carpets and kilims – All About Turkey
Therefore, Anatolian rugs form a branch of ethnic Turkish rugs. … The
weaver then takes a piece of wool which corresponds with the pattern
and forms a …
http://www.allaboutturkey.com/carpet.htm

The culture of Turkish carpets,culture of carpets,History,parts of …
Turkish carpets devided into some category shown below. … The
earliest patterns of Kulacarpets were either geometrical or composed
of highly stylised …
http://www.bazaarturkey.com/classification.htm

Cinili Kösk Istanbul Photo Gallery by Dick Osseman at pbase.com
It is here that I fell in love with the great colours and beautiful
ornamentation of the best ofTurkish tiles, mosque lamps, plates et
cetera. …
http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/cinili_kosk

SELJUK TILES AND CERAMICS
Turkish tiles and pottery from the 14th to 19th centuries have won …
The cut pieces were placed, according to a design, in a mosaic-like
pattern http://www.byegm.gov.tr/yayinlarimiz/newspot/2001/jan_feb/n6.htm

Iznik Ceramics: Making a Ceramic Tile
Use a timeline of Turkish history to review key dates/ events. Show
examples of objects unique … Tape tracing paper with design, on to
the ceramic tile. …
http://inic.utexas.edu/menic/units/turkey_cyprus/barker/index.htm

http://www.kultur.gov.tr/portal/default_en.asp, Turkish Ministry of
Culture. Video titled, Circle Within the Square

REVIVAL OF ?ZN?K TILES AFTER 300 YEARS
?znik is located on the banks of the lake of the same name in the
province of Bursa in the northwestern part of Anatolia. In antiquity
it lay within the borders of the Bithynian region. One legend says
that the town was established on the return of the God Dionysus from
India. According to another legend, ?znik was colonized by the
soldiers who escorted Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) during his
conquests.
http://www.kulturturizm.gov.tr/portal/default_en.asp?belgeno=1598

The ?znik Foundation is composed of three entities: Vocational Center,
Tile- Ceramics Research Center and the Tile and Ceramics Atelier. It
also has a liaison office in

The art of Turkish tiles and ceramics occupies a place of prominence in
the history of Islamic art. Its roots can be traced at least as far
back as the Uighurs of the 8th and 9th centuries.
http://www.ottomanclassics.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=3

It is the first stage in, what is hoped, will become a National
Database of historic tile designs. Initially the web site will
concentrate on providing information about known decorative wall and
floor tile manufacturers and designers, together with images and
information about nineteenth and twentieth century tile designs from
the United Kingdom.
http://www.tessellations.org.uk/

http://www.artsmia.org/world-ceramics/chooser.html

I am particularly struck by the power of the hand painted Turkish tiles
from the 15th to 18th centuries.
http://www.candrews.com/tiles.htm
http://www.candrews.com/carpets.htm

The Art of Turkish Tiles and Ceramics
Tile mosaic is formed by pieces of tile cut to shapes to fit the
pattern … To summarize, the art of Turkish tile and ceramic-making
developed over the …
sanat.bilkent.edu.tr/interactive. m2.org/Handicraft/sitare1.htm

Count On
Islamic patterns as new tiles from old This is a common Islamic
pattern. … Many Islamic patterns are “stellated”. These star shaped
designs are often said …
http://www.mathsyear2000.co.uk/explorer/ morphing/07islamictilings.shtml

Ian Alexander’s Natural Patterns Library
Ian Alexander’s Natural Patterns Library. Ian Alexander’s Natural
Patterns Library. This site consists of many natural images with
visual and textual …
easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~iany/patterns/islamic.htm

Islamic Patterns
Islamic law forbids human (or animal) figures in religious sites, and
so the primary forms of decoration have been floral patterns,
geometric shapes, … personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/
indiajterm/islamicart.html

Islamic Book Design
http://www.islbd.homestead.com/books.html
Description
Our goal is to provide publishers of Islamic books and journals with
graphic designs that are dynamic and contemporary but respectful of
traditional Islamic aesthetic.

Alhambra and General Life
http://www.red2000.com/spain/granada/alhamb.html
Description
The best conserved Arabian palace of its epoch

Traditional Hand-made Islamic Art & Calligraphy
http://www.ayatsandart.com/
Description
We offer a variety of unique and creative Islamic calligraphy on
various types of woods and stained glass. Each piece has an artistic
element of its own possessing its own character to enlighten any home,
office or prayer room.

A Galerry of Islamic Graphics and Art – Free downloads
http://www.geocities.com/savanaabdullah/islamic_wallpapers.htm
Description
Free download graphics, islamic wallpapers, Msn messenger display and
avatars. The images are in good resolution. Alhamdulillah…

New Book from Lund Humphries: ‘Bright Flowers. Textiles and Ceramics
of Central Asia’
http://www.lundhumphries.com/pages/single/11892.html/
Description
‘Bright Flowers’ reveals, in many cases for the first time in
published form, some of the spectacular and colourful embroidered
textiles and glazed ceramics of Central Asia. It provides a
fascinating insight into the material culture and peoples of an area
which is becoming increasingly well- known to outsiders. Price: £32.50,
ISBN: 0 85331 912 X

Amazon.com: Symmetries of Islamic Geometrical Patterns: Books: SJ
Abas,Amer Shaker Salman,Ahmed Moustafa by SJ Abas,Amer Shaker
Salman,Ahmed Moustafa. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/
tg/detail/-/9810217048?v=glance – 118k –

IslamiCity.com – Bazar
150 color and black-and-white drawings of Islamic patterns. … “A
masterly exposition ofIslamic pattern and the underlying cosmological
principles.” …
http://www.islamicity.com/rd.asp?s=03054-2021

Henna patterns based on Tunisian folk art. … Tuareg Patterns ·
Amazigh (Berber) Patterns · Afghani Patterns · Turkish Patterns ·
Persian Patterns
http://www.hennapage.com/henna/what/lineart1/lineart08.html

Baytulhabeeb
http://www.people.umass.edu/mja
Description
Classic Arabic/Islamic calligraphy and Painting

Mecca2Medina
http://www.mecca2medina.com/
Mecca2Medina is a UK based Islamic Hip Hop and Reggae group, the group
produce instrumental and Non-instrumental music. Our aims are to inform
Muslims and Non-Muslims of the beauty of Islam and how it interacts in
our lives daily, we also attempt to address issues that affect our
communities Muslims and Non-Muslims. We are not a political
organisation, and do not belong to any groups, the work we do is
essentially for Dawah purposes, and also for the creation of positive
entertainment for our young Muslim brothers and sisters distracted by
mainstream media.

Meem Music
http://www.meem.info/
Description
Producers and distributors of fine Islamic audio. Record label for some
of the freshest Nasheed artists in the West.

soundofislam
URL
http://www.soundofislam.co.uk/
Description
islamic multimedia

Turkish Music, Turkish Food, Turkish Movies, Turkish Grocery …
More than 30000 Turkish books, 5000 Turkish music titles, Turkish food
items … less oriental in colour and pattern as the distance from
Turkey increases. …
http://www.tulumba.com/

TULIPS
history
http://bell.lib.umn.edu/Products/tulips.html

The Tulip
According to Persian legend, the first tulips sprang up from the drops
of blood shed by a lover and for a long time the tulip was the symbol
of avowed love. …
http://www.sfheart.com/tulip.html

The story of the tulip
The tulip, symbol of Holland. But did you know that this flower has its
roots in the mountains of Kazakhstan? Even in Holland most people do
not know that …
http://www.wild-natures.com/tulip.html

The Holland Ring – Tulips
For the rich and the famous the tulip was a status symbol. The
popularity of the tulip soared and soon the demand skyrocketed. In
1636, people started using …
http://www.thehollandring.com/tulpen.shtml

tulip: Definition and Much More From Answers.com
The tulip is the national flower of Iran and Turkey, and tulip motifs
feature prominently in Persian and Turkish folk arts. The European name
for the flower …
http://www.answers.com/topic/tulip

Iran – Flag
… the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in
the shape of a tulip, asymbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the
white band; …
http://www.classbrain.com/art_cr/publish/iran_flag.shtml

The Tulip
Title: The Tulip: A Symbol of Two Nations Author: exhibition catalogue
Subject: 1993 Istanbul exhibition catalogue tracing both the Dutch and
Turkish …
hollychase.igc.org/thetulip.html

Symbolism of Flowers or, the Language of Flowers
Phlox – Symbol of sweet dreams and implies a proposal of marriage. …
energy; Tulip – in Persia the tulip is the symbol of love; Violet –
Modesty …
http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/d-f/flowsym.shtm

Also in the Turkish history Tulip played an interesting role. The
period in our history between 1718-1730 is called as the “Tulip Era”,
under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This period is also expressed as
an era of peace and enjoyment. Tulips became and important style of
life within the arts, folklore and the daily life. Many embroidery and
textile clothing handmade bywoman, carpets, tiles, miniatures etc. had
tulip designs or shapes, large tulip gardens around the Golden Horn
were frequented by upscale people, and so on. Also, the first printing
house was founded by Ibrahim Müteferrika in Istanbul. The Tulip Era
was brought to an end after the Patrona Halil revolt in 1730, ending
with the de-thronation of the Sultan.
http://www.allaboutturkey.com/tulip.htm

Dijital Pasaj

Digital Studio students are in-process on a new project called Dijital Pasaj, (Turkish for Digital Passageway.) Each student chose a site in Duluth to document + transform into a short digital narrative, imitating the technique of rotoscoping as a unifying visual style. Inspiration for this project comes from contemporary films which use digital paint to animate live action photography. (see: Waking Life)

view images from our process here:

http://www.d.umn.edu/~jrock2/pasaj_process/

This project is collaborative and explores the idea of random access in digital media. By random access, we mean: a digital experience that offers the visitor ways to navigate through it randomly, at their own pace and order. This opportunity is commonly found on websites, which do not demand we navigate sequentially. Our class is devising an online experience that will allow students on the other side of the globe to visit our unique version of Duluth Minnesota. Visual artifacts will lead to specific locations in our city. Visitors to the site will be able to move through this digital environment, accessing images and short quicktime movies that offer a personal vision of life here. Students are investigating digital formats very common to their experience : video game interfaces, websites and dvds. All of these represent some form of random access, and offer new levels of customized choice to digital audiences.

interface design by Gen Johnsen + Ivana Savic

Dijital Pasaj Website… in process…coming soon at

http://www.d.umn.edu/~jrock2/dijital_pasaj/

Gig Night story by Ben Luoma

This interactive project is part of our exchange with Turkish students in Ankara, offering them a quirky view of our city. They will be able to access the website, clicking spots on the map interface to download the short Quicktime movies that take them on a tour of offbeat locations around town.

Lift Bridge story by Matt Mulliner
The Video + Animation + Games Symposium was hosted by UMD’s VizLab in the Kirby Ballroom this past Friday. Students from our campus (and from the Duluth community) mingled with presenters from Minneapolis to share knowledge and enthusiasm for these digital media artforms.

Interactive exhibits and hands on demonstrations were featured at the Video+Animation+Games Symposium, including a sound design experiment station, hands-on video production and filming techniques, demos by Apple, Maya and 3D Studio Max trainers, a game lounge, Kirby Game Room demos of Dance Dance Revolution, Halo, Fight Night and demos of student-made games. Noon keynote speaker Lane Raichert is a Minnesota native and creative and production veteran in the TV animation and computer game business.

I gave a presentation about our Dijital Pasaj project, and students from my classes demonstrated their work for interested viewers. Right now we have no department or academic major (that I am aware of at UMD) dedicated to Video + Animation + Games even though these art forms are so ubiquitous in contemporary culture. Our era won’t be known for its great contribution to stained glass, or bronze sculpture or fresco painting…

So, we are opening our eyes and minds to the potential of new creative forms that are driven by innovations in digital technology and a public hungry for customizable gadgets and entertainment. Although we do not offer a major in game design or a class in animation, we do teach several classes at UMD where we try to integrate concepts from these disciplines into creative projects.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird

Graphic Design 1 students are asked to explore the poem, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by Wallace Stevens. Students create a tiled format that expresses the images and ideas they discover in the poem. They are encouraged to work in strong black and white, abstracting imagery when possible, and emphasizing their use of positive and negative space relationships. This project serves as a warm up to the Rumi poetry project, which offers them more freedom.

Halime and Murat, Professors from Ankara Turkey were visiting our class as we worked on this project. We discussed the use of poetry as subject matter for expressive typographic and image works. Students exchanged personal interpretations of the text of the poem, and we discovered similarities and differences in how the poem may be experienced by readers from different cultures.