The white stone in the place of Hızır Ziyareti (the holy visitation site of Khidr) on the seashore of Samandag is known as the meeting place of the Prophet Moses and the spiritual being Khidr. For decades, perhaps for hundreds of years, this stone has been turned around by praying. Turning is at the center of worship. The smell of bahur (incense), which fills one as soon as one enters the site, permeates every part of the domed space. There are fossilized prayers, fingerprints and kiss marks on the marble surrounding the stone. Pain and dreams are mixed with each other in the place, as if they were squeezed together.
In 2013, this place was demolished and rebuilt after a local businessman restored it. This series of photographs observes the transformation process of prayers gathered under this dome and the sacred energy in the space through its destruction and reconstruction over several years. Even if the dome is on the ground, or its marbles are golden-leafed, it does not matter. The prayers whispered to Khidr by turning around the white stone never end.
In 2013, this place was demolished and rebuilt after a local businessman restored it. This series of photographs observes the transformation process of prayers gathered under this dome and the sacred energy in the space through its destruction and reconstruction over several years. Even if the dome is on the ground, or its marbles are golden-leafed, it does not matter. The prayers whispered to Khidr by turning around the white stone never end.
A sunny afternoon before the renovation. There is an old beggar woman on the right side and a palm tree on the left side of the door. © Emrah Gökdemir, 2011
On Hidrellez, believers circle the Khidr stone on the site that is under construction. © Emrah Gökdemir, 5 May 2013
An old photograph hung on a construction column allows us to see the past and the current shape of the Khidr Ziyaret. It is noteworthy that the stone is uncovered both in the old photograph and in this one. © Emrah Gökdemir, 5 May 2013
destruction – photo collage. © Emrah Gökdemir, 2013
|
reconstruction – photo collage. © Emrah Gökdemir, 2013
|
The Cebel-i Akra mountain in the background, the dome on the ground, and the old beggar man at the door. © Emrah Gökdemir, July 2013
The new structure, almost complete, with the palm tree now on the right side of the door. © Emrah Gökdemir, August 2013
The new interior view of the Khidr Ziyareti after the restoration. The marble around the white stone was completely renewed and the Turkish version of the Surah Kehf (60th verse), which tells the story of the meeting of Khidr and Moses, was added. © Emrah Gökdemir, 2016
Emrah Gökdemir is a multidisciplinary artist from Turkey. He is one of the founders of Antakya Performative Collective, which was established in 2018. He has exhibited his works across Turkey and Europe. Currently, he is doing an artist residency in collaboration with Halle 14 Gallery in Leipzig, Germany.