Pondering time immemorial

‘Isabel Muñoz: A New Story’ captures the enigma of Göbeklitepe

By Mina Turunç | July 26, 2023


Towering monoliths in contrasting shades of black and white make for an intimidating atmosphere at the Pera Museum’s latest exhibition, Isabel Muñoz: A New Story. Spanning two floors of the museum, it displays the Spanish photographer’s journey through the ancient ruins of southeastern Turkey, where she photographed, at the museum's suggestion,...
Posted in Exhibitions

Future sense

The Erimtan Archeological Museum turns an unflinching eye on the terminal consequences of modernity

By Mina Turunç | July 6, 2023


At first glance, Where Are We? (Neredeyiz?) appears out of place in an archaeology museum. The Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum’s first two floors are occupied by the permanent collection, laden with ancient objects recovered from the Hittite, Urartu, Assyrian, Achaemenid and Byzantine sites. Delicate ceramic fragments, votive statues and white-washed...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Exhibitions

Yasemin Aslan Bakiri’s ‘Billur’ exhibit

A play of fragility and strength

By Monica Fritz | June 10, 2022


Don't miss the last days of 'Billur', Yasemin Aslan Bakiri's Glass Art exhibition in Nevmekan Selimiye. The show has been prolonged till June 20 and is well worth the ferry ride over. Intricately crafted kaftans woven with metals and glass hang in Sultan Selim III's historic hamam, now a library,...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Exhibitions, Highlights Turkey

Little Amal - The Walk

Little Amal, a young refugee, embarks on a remarkable journey

By Claire McIntosh | August 8, 2021


Seeing a 3.5 meter tall puppet of a little girl, making her way down the street, or out of the window of a car on the way to work, would certainly turn heads. Thus is the goal of Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson. Created by the minds of the Good...
Posted in Exhibitions, Fundraiser, Good causes, Highlights Turkey, Highlights Around The World

‘The Gentleman of Istanbul’ and other sly tales

Turhan Selçuk smiles satirically, almost vaguely, and you find yourself joining him – Yaşar Kemal

By Luke Frostick | July 12, 2019


And that, as the great novelist said, is what great art is about. Minimalism is the key to Turhan Selçuk’s art – his drawings all bold black lines and harsh angles. However, as is so often the case with the best artists, simplicity can be deceptive. His torpedo passing through...
Posted in Exhibitions, Fine Art, Literature

Pomegranates bitten and seen

Jamie Leptien on the Pera Museum’s homage to Parajanov

By Jamie Leptien | February 9, 2019


Sergei Parajanov’s Repentance (Variations on themes by Pinturicchio and Raphael), 1989 (courtesy of the Pera Museum) Occupying the fourth and fifth floors of Istanbul’s Pera Museum until March 17, Parajanov with Sarkis is an...
Posted in Exhibitions, Film, Where the Art is

Where feelings fly low

Hale Tanger’s ‘Under’ and other highlights on Alserkal Avenue

By Tim Cornwell | March 24, 2018


The first impression of Under, the Dubai art installation created by the Turkish artist Hale Tenger, and her long-time collaborator musician Serdar Ateşer, is that someone has put a tree in a box. The box in question lies in Alserkal Avenue, a striking but treeless zone of leading Middle Eastern...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Exhibitions

Gifts from the Shah

‘Shah Abbas’ Gifts to the Serenissima’ exhibition

By Cornucopia UK | March 19, 2014


A fascinating exhibition on display at the Chamber of the Scrutinio in the Doge’s Palace in Venice traces the history of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Venice and the Safavid Persia under the rule of Shah Abbas the Great (1587–1629). The show specifically highlights the gifts exchanged between the two powers...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Exhibitions, Fine Art, History, Islamic Art

Turkish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale: Ayşe Erkmen

By Cornucopia TR | February 16, 2011


It was recently announced that that Ayşe Erkmen has been chosen by IKSV to represent Turkey at the 54th Venice Biennale later this year (June 4 - November 27, 2011). Erkmen was chosen by the curator Fulya Erdemci; Erkmen and Erdemci will collaborate with curator Danae Mossman and industrial designer...
Posted in Contemporary Art, Exhibitions, News
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