Turkish painter sets rare record in marble painting

By Ramesh Mathew

The Doha Exhibition Center turned out to be the venue for two Guinness World Records yesterday at an expo, being hosted by Qatar Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar).

Turkish national Ahmed Coktin, an expert in marbling painting, made a rare record when he made painting on a paper sheet, measuring 11× 1.5m, without mixing of any artificial colors or shades.

Coktin, who had earlier served as a teacher for several years in Istanbul, has come on an invitation from Fanar.

The artiste felt the exhibition of his work would prompt more people to take up this art form in Qatar.

According to Talal Omar, of Guinness World Records, it was the first time a piece was designed on an 11m long single sheet of paper, having a breadth of 1.5m. “At least 30 people were engaged in lifting the paper after the drawing was created, suspended in water and later lifted out of it onto the paper to the amazement of onlookers,” said Omar.

Coktin said that the work would be redone on November 23, most possibly inside the exhibition center.

The artiste said the work that was done for the Guinness Record was made wholly from natural inks, which he referred to as vegetable inks, consisting of some natural fibers and natural plant extracts.

The Guinness official formally acknowledged Coktin’s feat and awards were given to the creator in the presence of a sportive gathering.

The expo features culture, heritage, arts and science. A large number of paintings are also displayed at the venue.

Another record was set when Qatari national boxer Abdul Latif Mahmoud Saadiq performed 132 uninterrupted push-ups with the back of his hands, bettering the previous record held by American John Morrow (123).

In his first attempt, Saadiq failed to go beyond 118 attempts but egged on by his coach Salim Lazuruq, the athlete returned and created the new mark.

British boxer Dany Williams handed over the Guinness mementos and certificates to the new record holders.

Source: Gulf Times.
Link: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=327478&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16.