I ran across the stunning stop-motion video Takrar on a number of websites over the past week and watched each time. Takrar or Repetition is an experimental film that celebrates the timeless and intricate beauty of ancient craftsmanship. Filmed in Istanbul, the film takes us on a mesmerizing journey into the past, paying homage to Islamic, Ottoman, Greek, and Byzantine art forms.

Syrian-German filmmaker and animator Waref Abu Quba takes viewers on a hypnotic tour through the ornate art and architecture of Istanbul. Comprised of 270 shots culled from about 2,900 photos taken over a two year period, the stop-motion animation focuses  on the elaborate motifs and craftsmanship spotted throughout the Turkish capital. “When I first visited Istanbul in 2021, I was captivated by its timeless beauty and decided to capture it through my lens,” Quba says. “Creating each frame of this film was an utter joy, and every new scene brought unexpected and beautiful surprises.”

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