New on the block: Egeran Gallery opens with Mel Bochner exhibition

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Michael Hornsby | May 11 2012


Last Thursday saw the opening of Suzanne Egeran's new project, Egeran Gallery, down by the Bosphoros in Tophane, with an inaugural exhibition by one of the great American conceptual artists, Mel Bochner. Ten new paintings by Bochner get their premier showing here in Istanbul. The artist applied paint using a...
Posted in Contemporary Art, News

From miniatures to microchips: a new dimension to the Sakıp Sabancı Museum’s calligraphy collection

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Michael Hornsby | May 10 2012


In a first for a museum display of Islamic Art, the refurbished exhibition of calligraphy and manuscripts at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum incorporates video and touch-screen technology to allow visitors an augmented reality experience of the collection. Using an iPad handed to you at the door you can call up...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Islamic Art, News

Park life: Istanbul’s green spaces

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Şule Bilgin | May 8 2012


These warm spring days just before summer are the perfect time to enjoy the parks and gardens of Istanbul, too often overlooked by visitors and locals alike. During the annual April Tulip Festival a staggering 1.8 million tulips are planted within the borders of Emirgan Korusu. This means that the...
Posted in News

Hıdrellez wishes

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Michael Hornsby | May 7 2012


Last Saturday was Hıdrellez, a springtime festival marking the date on which, according to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Elijah met with the mythical figure Hıdır. The official celebrations in Istanbul were organised by KafePi, a familiar name in nightlife here, and held in Parkorman, at the edge of the Belgrade...
Posted in News

London’s Islamic Week

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Thomas Roueche | May 7 2012


London’s Islamic Week is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Rooms of unique, museum-quality Islamic artefacts go on show twice a year – albeit for only a week – offering those in the know a chance to take a close look at rarities that usually live behind closed doors in...
Posted in Fine Art, Islamic Art

Grave folly: Goya comes to Pera

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Michael Hornsby | April 20 2012


Goya: Witness of His Time, at the Pera Museum, April 20 – July 29 By the time Fransisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746 - 1828) learnt the technique of lithography he already had an impressive career as a court painter behind him. Yet in the several series of prints that...
Posted in Fine Art

The Stuff That Matters: textile treasures in London

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Thomas Roueche | April 20 2012


The Stuff That Matters, textiles collected by Seth Siegelaub for the CSROT, at Raven Row in London's Spitalfields, is an exceptionally beautiful show. Combining antique textiles from all over the world with exquisitely minimal curation, it offers a feast for the textile enthusiast. Raven Row is a stunning contemporary exhibition...
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The new reviews: new books in the latest Corncuopia

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Cornucopia | April 19 2012


We are very excited to announce that the new issue of Cornucopia, Dutch Masters, is making its way to a bookshop near you as we speak. Subscribers, keep an eye out for the postman! All the book reviews are available to read online now. Tim Stanley finds a positive outcome...
Posted in Books, News

Countdown to chorus: looking ahead to June’s Istanbul Music Festival

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Michael Hornsby | April 18 2012


The Istanbul Music Festival opens on May 31, 2012 and continues throughout the month of June. Organised by IKSV as they celebrate their 40th year (the organisation was first founded to curate an arts festival back in 1973), this looks set to be a particularly fine series of performances. Many...
Posted in Music and Performing Arts

The Asia House Fair

Istanbul Arts Diary | By Cornucopia | April 17 2012


Cornucopia is pleased to announce our participation at the Asia House Fair in London from April 27 to 29. The fair coincides with London's Islamic World Sales and features textiles, antiques and jewellery from all over Asia. It should be an unmissable addition to the week! We hope all our...
Posted in News