Michelle Rago, Ltd.—Blog

Happy Summer!! My Director of Sales and Design, Mark Rose, recently returned from Turkey and I asked him to share a bit of his trip with you. He is an amazing photographer and always in hot pursuit of all things beautiful and cultural. Here is what he has to share…..

Istanbul 

Istanbul is an ancient city steeped in history, a unique point where Europe, Asia and The Middle East converge. The religions, foods, architecture, art, languages and customs of the three continents are reflected throughout every aspect of the city.

My journey to Turkey was filled with artistic inspiration at every turn. In our design process for events, we often take a single element and use it in unexpected ways. Here I found an extraordinary use of geometry in every detail. What came to my surprise was the artistry and craftsmanship in unexpected places.

The following images reveal complicated geometric patterns, some on very grand scale, some more pedestrian.

The stone mosaic pathways were masterfully created with simple materials.

The domed ceiling in this public building was hand-painted utilizing a most complicated design, truly breath-taking!

Exotic spices were presented in a manner I had not seen before, again repeating geometric shapes.

The carved molding on this exceptional exterior roof was a mixture of carved wood moldings, hand painted and gilded ornaments and ancient painted tiles.

This fountain outside the Sultan’s Palace at Topkapi was with the pinnacle of my journey. It was a small building with such extraordinary detail, perfect symmetry; it was a masterpiece of architecture, but on a small scale.

The Harem Room at Topkapi reveals an unparallelled use of materials, craftsmanship, and beauty. Every surface has been considered, from the exquisite tiles, carved stonework and painted wooden moldings.

The roof and domes surrounding this mosque are unusual to the Western eye, both majestic and graceful. Pictured here is the Blue Mosque, perhaps the most famous for the intricate domes, minarets and hand painted tiles within.

A journey out of your comfort zone will always lead to the unexpected, and my journey to Turkey will undoubtedly inspire my own sense of color, geometry and scale. I encourage anyone who wants to push their boundaries to see

Mark Rose, Istanbul 2008