Draft:Tatar art

Tatar art, is art which emanated from the cultural traditions of the Volga Tatars and Crimean Tatars. The Tatar people predominantly reside in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan and other parts of the former Soviet union.They are of varied forms of artistic endeavor which encompasses visual arts, music, dance, crafts, and literature.

Tatar Art Projects focusing on creating contemporary artworks that blend traditional Tatar influences with modern artistic practices with the aim to bring innovative and accessible art to the public, combining Tatar cultural elements with contemporary techniques and materials are being made available.

Categories of tatar art

Visual Arts

• Traditional Crafts: Tatars are renowned for their intricate embroidery, woodworking, and metalwork, which often feature detailed floral and geometric patterns, especially in their embroidered textiles.

• Painting and Sculpture: Contemporary Tatar artists blend traditional motifs with modern styles, to create unique works that reflect their cultural heritage and contemporary influences.

Music

• Folk Music: The melodies and rhythms of Tatar folk music are distinctive, and often feature traditional instruments like the kubyz (jaw harp) and dumbyra (stringed instrument).

• Classical and Modern Music: Tatarstan have a dynamic music scene, with a deep tradition in classical music and an active contemporary music community, particularly in Kazan, the capital.

• Dance: Folk dance, ballet dance and modern dance: Tatar folk dances are energetic and expressive, characterized by intricate footwork and colorful costumes, typically performed at festivals and celebrations. The region also has a strong tradition in ballet and modern dance, supported by prestigious institutions like the Kazan State Ballet.

Literature

• Folk tales, Epics and modern literature: Tatar literature has a rich oral tradition, with folk tales and epic poems that have been handed down through generations. In contemporary times, Tatar writers explore themes of identity, history, and culture in both the Tatar and Russian languages.

Architecture

• Historical and Religious Buildings: Tatar architecture is marked by significant historical and religious landmarks, such as the Qolşärif Mosque and the Söyembikä Tower in Kazan, which exhibit a blend of Islamic and regional styles.

Tatar art focuses on the unique and traditional craftsmanship of the Tatar people, specifically their expertise in leather mosaic and decorative arts. Tatar art is distinguished by its intricate designs that blend floral, vegetative, zoomorphic, and geometric elements, influenced by the traditions of the Saka (Scythians), Turkic nomads, and Islamic art. The art of leather mosaic, particularly practiced by the Volga Tatars, involves stacking and aligning ornamental leather cutouts with decorative stitching. These designs often feature curvilinear motifs such as lotus, horn, and cloud shapes, creating symbolic patterns that reflect themes like the tree of life, fertility, and spiritual respect.

Tatar art highlights embedded symbolism, such as motifs of sprouts, leaves, and flowers, which convey a deep connection with nature and spiritual beliefs. This symbolism is particularly evident in the traditional Tatar footwear, known as "shchiteq," which carries on the legacy of the Scythian era. These boots are crafted with skillful use of leather and ornamentation, showcasing an impressive interplay of sewn and embroidered elements that reflect ancient craftsmanship and technology.

Overall, the Tatar art underscores the cultural significance of decorative elements and craftsmanship in Tatar heritage. It celebrates the continuity of traditional practices and their adaptation over centuries, highlighting how these artistic forms tell stories of harmony with nature and spiritual beliefs.

History

Majority of Crimean Tatar art was lost as a result of the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars from their homeland by the Soviet regime. This mass deportation led to significant loss of life and disruption of their traditional way of life as a significant part of the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatars and much of this art was lost. A rejuvenation of traditional art began during the post-Soviet era.

Some Tatar art and culture have roots in the Volga Bulgaria, the Golden Horde, and the Kazan Khanate. The adoption of Islam in 922 influenced the development of another dimension to its art, replacing pre-Islamic motifs with Islamic ornamental designs. Significant architectural developments occurred during the Golden Horde and Kazan Khanate periods. Some architecture built during that period are The Kazan Kremlin, mosques, and mausoleums. After the Kazan Khanate joined the Russian state in the 16th century, Tatar cultural elements influenced Russian architecture and art, found in structures like St. Basil's Cathedral. Tatar decorative art flourished, producing ornate items such as the "Kazan cap" and "Monomakh's cap," now housed in the Moscow Armory Museum. The 19th century saw a rise in decorative art, including gold and tambour embroidery, jewelry, and national costumes.

Tatars originally lived in northeastern Mongolia and around Lake Baikal, and their art has evolved through influences from Turkic and Mongol cultures. After the Mongol invasion, Tatar art merged Mongol and Turkic elements, reflecting their history within the Golden Horde and later independent Tatar khanates. The Tatars developed a tradition of craftsmanship in various materials, including wood, ceramics, leather, cloth, and metal. This tradition continues to influence Tatar art today. Art from different Tatar groups, such as the Kazan Tatars and Crimean Tatars, reflects their unique regional histories and social structures.

Contemporary times

In modern times, contemporary indigenous artists began studying, modernizing and adapting the indigenous legacy art to modern times. It also addresses how these historical injustices continue to influence their cultural and social dynamics.

The main material used is the ornek, a traditional Crimean Tatar ornament included on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Events like Tatcultfest and other events have been organized in the Kremlin, and other cities like Nicosia, Paris and Kyiv. The President of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, launched the revitalization campaign of Tatar art in his country.

Artists are creating new art forms and techniques while maintaining self-sufficiency.

National Museum of Art of Romania, Near East University, and Cyprus Museum amongst other institutions have held events to revive attention to Tatar art.

The revival includes not only visual arts but also architecture, music, theater, and literature.

An exhibition titled "National Ornament in the Modern Tatar Art," which is part of a larger art project on contemporary Tatar decorative arts have been held annually since 2013.

The legacy of deportation still influences artistic expression, inspiring works that pay tribute to Crimean Tatar history.

Ukrainian art, including Nikita Kadan’s "Everybody Wants to Live by the Sea" and Roman Mikhailov’s "Radif: The Last Child," addresses the trauma of the Crimean Tatars, focusing on the impact of the 1944 deportations and their ongoing effects.

New artists are modernizing and adapting traditional arts while preserving ancestral practices. Traditional Crimean Tatar ornament, ornek, is central to this revival and is recognized by UNESCO. There is an emphasis of the importance mixing historical customs and using traditional ornaments in contemporary art.

Despite past repressions and limited financial support, artists continue to find ways to thrive.

An exhibition of Tatar art became a permanent feature in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Tatar section, showcasing Tatar culture, history, and art. The exhibition included sculptures, paintings, swords, national clothes, carpets, and mosque models. Some notable works included a sculpture of Süyümbike Sultan and reproductions of her attire, and also a model of the Kul Sharif Mosque, a prominent Tatar landmark.

References

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• Ethnic groups in Russia
• Ethnic groups in Uzbekistan
• Ethnic groups in Kazakhstan
• Ethnic groups in Ukraine