[this entry is dedicated to the soul of Traugott Fuchs]
In Turkish
we have a saying: "Geç olsun da güç olmasın" (translates into something like: "better late than
never" but you need to add the güç/difficulty in it: "better late than being
challenging"). Well, when I visited the latest exhibition at Bogazici Campus "Bavullardan
Kataloglara Boğaziçi Arşivleri'ne Doğru" (From Suitcases to Catalogs:
Through the Boğaziçi Archives) and
saw the pictures and a wonderful introductory story of Traugott Fuchs, I could
not help but think: It is late as well as difficult (hem geç hem güç oldu!). Who
was this person? Why was I so fascinated with his life story back in the 90s?
Let me copy some passages from the below link for an easy
introduction:
Traugott Fuchs, philologist, painter, poet,
teacher, musician, well known in Istanbul as a remarkable member of the group
of German scholars who fled from Germany after the Nazis came to power, arrived
in Turkey in1934 at the age of 28, as Leo Spitzer’s promising young assistant
in Romanistic studies and remained here until his death in 1997. Apart from
being the first person to initiate Germanistic studies at Istanbul University
“an appointment proposed and arranged by Erich Auerbach” he also taught for
many years at Robert College and Bogazici University until his voluntary
retirement at the age of 76. He kept in touch with his students and colleagues
who continued to benefit from his learning and intellectual brilliance till the
end.
Although he chose to stay in Turkey even after most of his colleagues returned home or left for America, he corresponded with them and their families throughout his life. Indeed, his collection of letters (now in the custody of Bogazici University), testify to his attachment to the group of emigres with whom he had shared the same fate. He was, as it were, a pivotal figure around which a network became established through correspondence and exchange of ideas - a network that stretches from Spitzer, Ritter and Auerbach to Adorno, Hesse, and Panofsky, persons who did not necessarily share the same convictions, but who were all involved in trying to find answers to the perplexing questions of a world torn apart and threatened by strife, whilst adapting to alien cultural and religious environments.
My fascination with him was and still is in there: "trying to find answers to the perplexing questions of a world torn apart and threatened by strife, whilst adapting to alien cultural and religious environments". Not much has changed and not many satisfactory answers were found unless I missed them at some point.
http://www.fuchs.boun.edu.tr/
Before the millennium and after working many hours in Fuchs' archives, I decided to head for Germany. But
it should make another story. This one is about the exhibition, Traugott Fuchs and
my excitement of seeing his story right in the heart of the campus after 17 years and residing in many countries. The exhibition brings important documents covering a history of 150 years, from the late Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey. It can be visited at Albert Long Exhibition Hall until May 29. A book featuring the same title as the exhibition was published with the event as well.
I have a few pictures to contribute to the exhibition from my own collection (very bad quality, sorry!). The very beginning of the archival digging in 1996-97, Süheyla Artemel and I were having dreams/plans about how to design and organize the archive. And I was having my first tattoo after being struck by a book cover which used to belong to Traugott Fuchs. There were many boxes indeed, a valuable history for the ones who can see and appreciate
the order in
messiness as well as the beauty and chaos in remembering. For some other ones
(who might as well be in the administrative positions on campus) they might
be trash, maybe with the exception of the painting and sketches. Easier to dump
into recycling than to invest into the boxes full of "stuff". Such projects are
so difficult to be realized in Turkey; even to think about some of the insider stories
brings tears of frustration to my eyes. What is wrong with this bond between us
and the concept of cultural heritage? Are we destined to geography here Mr. Ibn Khaldun,
again? "Geography Means Destiny"? Does it? I've come to believe it, gradually and reluctantly, or I am almost there.
Apr.21
Tuesday: The Fuchs section of the exhibition made my day. I just stood there, enjoying
every single item on display and watching the interview with Süheyla Artemel. She is one of
those people whose beautiful eyes and smile will never get old because she is a
dreamer and humanist in the authentic sense of the word. After maybe standing
there for 30 minutes (the video itself was around 20 min.) and taking a few
pics, I finally came back to the real world, trying to remember where I was.
After a few seconds, I was approached by a graduate student who said: "Hocam,
how are you? I did not want to bother you since you seemed very engaged
in this section." What a kind soul! He helped me to connect the past to the
present right at the moment, then I shared the story of Fuchs.
Afterwards, it was his turn to reach the earphones and listen to Fuchs’ life
story through Süheyla Artemel's voice.
If you
cannot have a chance to visit, here is the link to a quick tour of the exhibition: https://vimeo.com/125017871
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| Süheyla Artemel & the eyes of a young Fuchs in the video |
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| A Painting by Fuchs |
