The preparatory work for creating the maritime museum within the Near East University is going on under the coordinatorship of the Near East Institute.
According to the press statement issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, Ali Rıza İşipek would be in charge of the museum collection as a curator. Ali Rıza İşipek has put his signature under many museum projects in Turkey so far. He is currently the Vice President of the Association of Museum Professionals and the General Secretary of International Association of Maritime Studies (IAMS). He was the former Director of Istanbul Maritime Museum. Mr. İşipek, who has undertaken the task as the curator of the museum, delivered information about the concept and working program of the museum. “The museums play an increasing role in supporting the development of communities, and from this aspect we encounter a new dimension of the museums everyday. Museums are preparing the future by preserving the past. Museums pose a place where history and mystery come alive, a place where imagination and creativity are tangible. Considering this fact, the Near East University is implementing the project to convey our maritime culture especially to new generations, to provide them information on the history of Cyprus which is located on the world’s oldest and most important marine trade routes, to introduce the importance of seas for mankind, and to display the technological developments in the field of maritime. The establishment of the Maritime Museum will make up a great deficiency of our country in terms of tourism” said he.
Delivering information about ongoing works, the curator Ali Rıza İşipek stated that they began to collect the noteworthy marine artifacts and documents which would be core collection of the Maritime Museum. Mr. İşipek gave further information by expressing that the Maritime Museum would be created and would serve within the current museum building of the Near East University till the building of the Near East Maritime Museum completed by the end of 2015.
Highlighting that museums have many roles, responsibilities and functions some of which emerged as a new trend of modern museum concept, Mr. İşipek stated that the most appropriate technological and interactive systems would be used in the Near East Maritime Museum in order to ensure permanence and convey the required messages within the frame of contemporary museum concept. He emphasized that alongside artifacts, animation and presentations that appeal to the three senses would be available in the museum in order to keep the attraction of especially the new generations. Giving examples regarding the exhibition arrangements, Mr. İşipek, the curator of the Maritime Museum, indicated that the works ranging from the theme of shipbuilding history to the theme of navigation and shipping materials were continuing in full speed in the light of scientific data.
Ali Rıza İşipek noted that the artifacts chosen to highlight the importance of the main themes particularly preferred for the museum would be displayed and would constitute the core inventory of the Maritime Museum. “When we approach the issues to be covered within the frame of a maritime museum, we encounter with a lot of issues spreading in a wide spectrum that certainly need to be exhibited. The Maritime Museum will not be focused on the classical narration of history. The objects and artifacts that particularly related to Cyprus and maritime culture will be introduced through the language of those who previously lived on the lands that we currently live; the primary element will be the human. The aspirations, efforts, concerns, adventures, accomplishments, and defeats of the people formerly living in this region would be introduced through stories and displayed as 3D animation. In this vein, static exhibition as general concept as well as dynamic museum applications and digital technology will be used extensively in the Maritime Museum especially for young people. The Maritime Museum will also be a digital, dynamic and interactive facility where all the knowledge acquired by the project is kept and made available. Visitors will be able to access any information that they need through LCD screens and kiosks available in all halls. Within the structure of the current museum, a hall will be arranged as to be used as Art Gallery and Temporary Exhibition Hall. The artists can exhibit their art works in this multi functional hall. The new artifacts that added to the museum collection will continuously be introduced through new exhibitions. Upholding the highest presentation standards, it is aimed at creating well-established relations with visitors and keeping their interests permanently. The Maritime Museum will exploit its potential as a learning place and play an active role with regard to lifelong learning with a human centered concept. Artifacts will be exhibited thematically and chronologically with different arrangements.”
The Maritime Museum aims to collect, preserve and share the artifacts regarding in particular Cyprus, in general world’s maritime heritage and culture.
Mr. İşipek highlighted the commitment of the Maritime Museum in establishing collaborations with all local, national and international individuals and organizations in order to ensure the production of new projects and pave the way to become a common cultural production center. He stated that their aim was to establish not only a static museum just for visiting, but also create a living and dynamic museum.
Underlining the fact that the communities, who fail to preserve their historical and cultural heritage, will remain behind the times and can’t be confident about the future, Mr. İşipek emphasized that the Maritime Museum would undertake the most important role by collecting and preserving the rich historical and cultural heritage for future generations. He noted that this would be a very important source of proud for the Near East University.
Source: KIBRIS POSTASI