Harran: Physiognomy of a Plain
 

"Although the site sits at the forefront of most discussions in architecture compared to other design disciplines, oftentimes it cannot find a place for itself that goes beyond the purely pragmatic. When the geography, climate, material realities of a place are reduced to pure data, the genius loci that transforms a defined area to a place is lost. However, for thousands of years, the dawn of civilizations have depended on the immeasurable effect of physical geography, on the inspiration provided by the “physiognomy” of a place.

 

The exhibition Harran: physiognomy of a plain is based on the preliminary impressions of this journey that was only three days long. First impressions, just like the physiognomy of a stranger’s face seen for the first time, might be misleading, but also very powerful. The first impression gleaned from a place, its physiognomy that has not been distorted by prejudice, provides the opportunity for an unmediated interaction and understanding to those who value itinerant knowledge."

​

Elif Kendir Beraha, "Harran: Physiognomy of a Plain," from the exhibition booklet, 2019.