Four exhibitions planned prior to the devastating earthquakes grapple with presciently timely themes of loss, healing and transformation.
Istanbul
The Stage as a “Living Concept” in Turkey’s Performance Art
While The 90s Onstage looks back to a dynamic moment in Turkey’s performance art scene, Ata Doğruel’s “Light Source” reflects on the present.
Photographing History’s Silences and Gaps
A former journalist, Sim Chi Yin came to question the primacy of archival sources after realizing the deliberate decisions behind what gets included or excluded.
Hagia Sophia’s Marble Floors Suffer “Tremendous Damage,” Reports Say
Images circulating online appear to show cracked and damaged floors caused by heavy cleaning machinery used at the historic structure.
Turkey Faces Suspension From Council of Europe if Osman Kavala Is Not Freed
Amnesty International urged the council to begin infringement proceedings against Turkey for its arbitrary detainment of the arts philanthropist.
Reasons for Optimism in Istanbul’s Art World
The new generation of artists and curators is eager to explore alternative organizations and to tackle current social inequalities and issues.
What Happened to the Hagia Sophia Is a Terrible Shame
I recently visited the Hagia Sophia for the first time after its conversion and felt overwhelming sadness.
A Kurdish Artist’s Creative Resistance From Behind Bars
“Politics, war and oppression are a part of my life,” Fatoş İrwen explained of her current solo show, Exceptional Times.
SALT Presents Climavore: Seasons Made to Drift by Cooking Sections
Exploring how to eat as humans change the climate, Climavore: Seasons Made to Drift is on view until August 22 at SALT Beyoğlu.
Turkey Targets Osman Kavala’s Arts Organization in Unprecedented Lawsuit
Turkey’s Trade Ministry filed a lawsuit demanding the dissolution of Anadolu Kültür, an institution founded by Kavala in 2002.
After Istanbul Students Detained for LGBTQ Posters, Protests Against Government Censorship Escalate
The initial protests started one month ago after President Erdoğan appointed one of his political allies as the school’s rector, inciting outrage over political motivations.
Walk With Me: A Performance Artist Adapts to the Pandemic
For two weeks last fall, performance artist Alisa Oleva walked with 33 different women in Istanbul; sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes for three hours, but always from 1500 miles away.