If I have received a research grant to conduct a linguistic study of Turkish, I would first check the duration and the financial budget of the research. If I have enough time and budget, I would definitely go to Turkey and experience the Turkish culture by myself. Since I want to conduct research about Turkish art and its historical context, there is no better way than appreciating the amazing artifacts displayed in museums by myself. I have several Turkish museums in my list of “must go”. The first is the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. At this charming and well-organized museum, there are not only findings from the ongoing excavations at Ephesus archeological site, but also the artifacts from the Cukurici Mound, the basilica of St John, and the Temple of Artemis. Another one is Chora Church. This medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church dates back to around the early 4th century. Also, it possesses some of the most stunning Byzantine frescoes and mosaics. During my trip to Turkey, I would not only do research about those museums and the stunning artifacts in them but also record my whole trip via a vlog, because I want to record everything I see or taste in Turkey.
On the other hand, if I cannot go to Turkey to visit, the best way to do research about Turkish art and its historical context is to talk to my language partner and read books. Although my language partner is not really interested in Turkish art, I am sure that she could provide a different perspective as a Turkish born and bred. As for the book about Turkish art, I think Turkish art and architecture: From Seljuks to the Ottomans would be a good reference. It includes many delicate illustrations and explanations of Turkish decorative arts as well as architecture.
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