Publications
İslam Sanatında İmge / Image In Islamic Art
Islamic art embodies a unique aesthetic paradigm distinct from other traditions, rooted in mathematical order, fractal structures, and cosmic continuity. The study introduces the concept of 'Spiritual Haptic Space,' arguing that Islamic art transcends traditional dimensionality by using lines as fractal modulators to represent life and truth, rather than merely depicting it. This is demonstrated through examples like the Divriği Great Mosque's geometric designs and calligraphy, which align with Kant's 'purposiveness without purpose' and minimalist artistic practices. The research also explores how contemporary art can reinterpret Islamic art's participatory, collective aesthetic, suggesting a dynamic, interactive approach to visual expression.
Divriği’s architectural plasticity: Study in Seljuk innovation and cross-cultural analogy
The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği, constructed in the early 1220s under the joint patronage of Ahmed Şah and Turan Melek, stands as a groundbreaking fusion of Seljuk architectural innovation and sculptural artistry. This study reveals how the complex, attributed to master builder Hürremşah of Ahlat and his cosmopolitan workshop, defies conventional Anatolian Seljuk design by integrating high-relief stone carving, vegetal motifs, and rigorous structural techniques into a courtyard-less, multi-aisled mosque plan. The ensemble’s portals, particularly the North Portal and Darüşşifa entrance, exhibit unprecedented plastic dynamism, drawing heuristic parallels with later European Gothic and Baroque styles without implying direct influence. The research highlights Divriği’s unique programmatic complexity, including a modified four-iwan scheme, lanterned dome, and integrated mausoleum, positioning it as a monumental example where architecture transcends into sculpture through local craftsmanship.
Metric-Based Comparative Analysis of Seljuk and Byzantine Architectural Practices in Medieval Anatolia
A comparative analysis of Seljuk and Byzantine architectural practices in medieval Anatolia reveals a dynamic interplay between the two traditions, marked by mutual adoption and adaptation of structural and decorative innovations. The study demonstrates that Seljuk architects integrated Byzantine techniques—such as monumental masonry and mosaic work—into Islamic artistic frameworks, while post-Byzantine structures incorporated Seljuk elements like geometric patterns and muqarnas. This synthesis produced a hybrid architectural style that significantly influenced Ottoman design and broader Islamic aesthetics. The research employs a metric-based framework to evaluate aesthetic and structural principles across emblematic sites, including the Great Mosque of Divriği, the Green Mosque in Bursa, and Hagia Sophia, uncovering the sociopolitical dynamics underpinning these exchanges.
Tall Building Designs Inspired by Architectural Masters with Artificial Intelligence Tool DALL-E
Artificial intelligence, specifically the DALL-E tool, shows promise but limitations in generating creative tall building designs inspired by UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The study highlights that while DALL-E can produce visually inspiring and innovative architectural concepts based on historical buildings like the Great Mosque of Divriği, it struggles with controllability and precision, often requiring multiple iterations to achieve desired results. Additionally, increasing the number of images generated leads to a loss of detail and blurriness. Despite these challenges, DALL-E remains effective for brainstorming and inspiring new designs, though it is still in its developmental stage.
Evacuation Assessment with Simulation for the Divrigi Great Mosque and Hospital through Comparison of National and International Regulations in the Context of Fire Safety of Cultural Assets
A simulation of the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği revealed that its evacuation time in a fire scenario is 153 seconds, exceeding regulatory limits by 3 seconds. This study compared national and international fire safety regulations for cultural assets, highlighting gaps in Turkey's lack of specific guidelines for historical buildings. The research underscores the need for tailored fire codes to ensure the safety of such heritage sites while preserving their architectural integrity.
The Tree of Life in Turkish Culture, Its Use in Tiles and Ceramics as a Motif
The Tree of Life motif, a universal symbol representing the connection between heaven and earth, abundance, and cosmic order, has been deeply embedded in Turkish culture and art for centuries. This study reveals its significance as a recurring decorative element in tiles and ceramics, particularly during the Seljuk period (1071–1308), where it was integrated with other motifs like birds, pomegranates, and poppies. The motif's evolution—ranging from standalone representations in religious architecture to complex compositions with animals—reflects cultural synthesis between Central Asian, Anatolian, and Islamic traditions. Notably, the motif transitioned from its symbolic roots in Shamanic and Zoroastrian beliefs to Islamic interpretations, such as the Tuba Tree, while maintaining its role as a link between worlds. The research highlights its enduring presence in Ottoman-era Iznik ceramics and architectural tiles, where it was often paired with naturalistic elements like cypress trees, tulips, and roses. This analysis underscores the motif's adaptability across eras, serving as both an artistic expression and a cultural bridge.
Divriği Hospital - Medieval Healing Venue and Its Acoustic Characteristics
Research on the Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital reveals that its architecture supports optimal acoustic conditions for sound reception, aligning with medieval healing practices. The study, which analyzed a 3D model of the hospital built in 1228/1229 by the Mengüjeck dynasty, demonstrates that the venue's design enhances the effects of music therapy through environmental soundscape integration and the use of makams (musical modes). This suggests that Anatolian Seljuk hospitals were intentionally constructed to serve as both healing spaces and acoustic venues, blending functional and therapeutic purposes. The findings underscore the role of architectural acoustics in medieval medical practices.
Kaedah Terapi Muzik di Hospital (Darüşşifa) Era Kerajaan Seljuk Pada Abad ke-12M sehingga Abad ke-14M
Among the earliest social institutions developed by the Seljuk Empire, hospitals (darüşşifas) in Anatolia pioneered music therapy for mental illness treatment. A study identifies only three of the at least 25 darüşşifas—Gevher Nesibe Darüşşifa (Kayseri), Divriği Ulu Mosque and Darüşşifa (Sivas), and Amber Ibn Abdullah Darüşşifa (Amasya)—that employed this therapy between the 12th and 14th centuries. Methods included live musical performances, fountain sounds, and acoustic system innovations integrated into hospital architecture. This approach persisted into the Ottoman era, demonstrating its enduring therapeutic value.
The Construction and Geometric Analysis of Main Iwan Spiral Centered Flat Vault of Divrigi Hospital
The Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği, dating back to the 13th century, features one of the most intricate stone vaults in Anatolia, characterized by six groins that spiral around a central axis within an uneven octagon. This unique geometric design, distinct from other vaults of its time, suggests a sophisticated understanding of geometry and construction techniques. A study reconstructed this main iwan vault using hypotheses developed at Madrid's 'Taller de Construcción Gótica,' confirming its exceptional nature by comparing it to similar structures in Aksaray Sultan Khan and Sivas Buruciye Madrasa. The findings indicate that the Divriği vault may serve as a prototype for other spiral vaults built in the same century, highlighting its architectural significance.
A. C. S. Peacock and Sara Nur Yıldız, editors. The Seljuks of Anatolia: Court and Society in the Medieval Middle East.
A pioneering study on the Seljuks of Anatolia reveals that the Rūm Seljuk principality, unlike its Great Seljuk counterpart, lacked substantial Muslim scholarly and literary output, relying instead on non-Muslim sources such as Byzantine Greek and Armenian materials, epigraphy, architecture, and numismatics. The research distinguishes between the two entities, emphasizing the importance of para-historical evidence due to the scarcity of traditional Islamic sources. Key findings include the late survival of ancient Turkic titles among the Mengüjek branch in Divriği and the inflation of Seljuk titulature as Byzantine territories were absorbed. The study also highlights the role of Christian wives in Seljuk court life, the influence of Sufi orders in legitimizing royal power, and the unique phenomenon of futuwwa in Armenian communities. This work sets a benchmark for future research on this understudied region.
Darüşşifas Where Music Threapy was Practiced During Anatolian Seljuks and Ottomans / Selçuklu ve Osmanlı Darüşşifalarında Müzikle Tedavi
Historical evidence reveals that Turkish and Islamic civilizations, notably during the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, employed music therapy as a sophisticated medical practice. The study identifies surviving Darüşşifas (medical and educational institutions) where acoustic design and scientific research—rooted in works by scholars like Avicenna, Rhazes, and Farabi—facilitated music-based treatments for mental disorders. Key sites analyzed include Kayseri Gevher Nesibe Tıp Medresesi (1206), Divriği Ulu Camii ve Darüşşifası (1228), and others, demonstrating how art and acoustics were harnessed centuries ago to enhance healing. This research underscores the enduring legacy of music therapy in historical healthcare systems.
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