What's on in Istanbul: 10 January 2025
Mardin myths in Istanbul, Versus Art Project says farewell to its home in Hanif Han, and other art exhibitions and cultural events.
Amar Kılıç: Şîn at C.A.M. Gallery
Deities from ancient Mesopotamian mythology and motifs with strong symbolic value in the artist’s hometown of Mardin – among them pigeons, serpents, and keys – predominate in this Istanbul solo exhibition, named after the Kurdish word meaning “mourning” or “blue” but also related to the word for “life.” The warm limestone of Mardin’s historical buildings turns blue in Kılıç’s architectural cyanotype prints, a process he also applies to cloth to populate the gallery with ethereal figures.
Exhibition runs until 25 January
Çukurcuma Caddesi No:38/A, Çukurcuma, Beyoğlu
Open Tue-Sat 11am-6:30pm
Archive at Versus Art Project
A retrospective of Versus Art Project’s first decade, the Archive exhibition feels a bit like a visit with old friends for those who have seen many of the gallery’s previous shows. For those who haven’t, it’s a good opportunity to get acquainted with a diverse group of excellent artists, including the photographic work of Larissa Araz, Serkan Taycan, and Rehan Miskci; the conceptual ceramics of Burçak Bingöl; Sibel Horada’s encounters with history; and Yelta Köm’s peering into the post-human future. Sadly, this will be the last Versus show in the lovely old Hanif Han building, where the rent has apparently gotten too high. A new location has yet to be announced.
Exhibition runs until 25 January
Gazeteci Erol Dernek Sokak No:11/3, Hanif Han, Beyoğlu
Open Tue-Sat 10am-6pm
Last Chance ⏰
Exhibitions closing this week include Raziye Kubat’s geological meditations in Stonehead: Time Traveller at Merdiven Art Space (ends 10 January; Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi No:31/A, Fındıklı; open Tue-Sat 11am-7pm); Ekin Kano’s exploration of biological systems in Between Rock and a Hard Place at Art On (ends 11 January, Piyalepaşa Bulvarı No:32/1, Piyalepaşa; open Tue-Sat 10:30am-6:30pm); Ekaterina Gerasimenko’s glimpses behind the curtain of daily life in Shady Backstage at Martch Art Project (ends 11 January, Sofyalı Sokak No:22, D:1, Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu); Ramazan Can and Cem Sonel’s blending of textiles and technology in All the Good Memories are Stored at Anna Laudel (to 12 January, Kazancı Yokuşu No:45-49A, Beyoğlu; open Tue-Sat noon-7pm, Sun noon-6pm); Leyla Pekmen’s exuberant summer scenes (an antidote to winter blues) in Like Water at BüroSarıgedik (to 17 January, Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi No. 31/2, Fındıklı; open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm); and Nevzat Sayın’s intricate geometric constructions in Labyrinth Images at Galata Rum Okulu (to 19 January, Kemeraltı Caddesi No:25, Karaköy, open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm).
Upcoming Events
MUSIC: XJAZZ! Festival (10 January ⏰) – Berlin-based festival brings soul artist Douniah and Australian drummer Ziggy Zeitgeist's Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange project to Istanbul. Doors open 8:30pm, show starts at 9pm at Salon İKSV, Nejat Eczacıbaşı Binası, Sadi Konuralp Caddesi, Şişhane Sokak No:5, Beyoğlu; tickets 750 TL.
TALK: Shanghai Biennale curator Kitty Scott (11 January ⏰) – The chief curator of the next edition of the Shanghai Biennale will give a presentation in English exploring the range of exhibition types with which she has worked over her career, from building national collections to curating biennales. 2pm at SAHA Studio, İMÇ 5. Blok, Atatürk Bulvarı No: 66, D:5538, Fatih; free.
MUSIC: Piano and Violin Recital (11 January ⏰) – The Istanbul Philharmonic Association kicks off its 80th anniversary concert series with this performance by pianist Verda Karaçil Cerit and violinist Kahraman Nice Özbay. 7pm at Surp Levon Armenian Catholic Church, Ali Suavi Sokak No:1, Kadıköy; tickets from 616 TL.
NETWORKING: Istanbul Connect (15 January) – Launch of Yabangee's new English-language professional networking event. 7pm at Fakülte Teras, Fitaş Pasajı, İstiklal Caddesi No:12, 5th floor, Beyoğlu; tickets 200 TL.
ART: Exhibition Tour with Mathematics Professor Miklós Hoffmann (18, 21 and 23 January) – Guided English-language exhibition tours of the Calculations and Coincidences and In Search of Vera Molnár exhibitions will focus on the relationship between the exhibited artworks and mathematics, probability, geometry, and computer technology. 3pm on 18 January and 7pm on 21 and 23 January at Pera Museum. Meşrutiyet Caddesi No:65, Beyoğlu; tickets 200 TL.
Mark Your Calendars 🗓
Early-bird tickets for the Istanbul Jazz Festival will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, 14 January. Grammy-winning Afro-Cuban music legend Chucho Valdés, rising stars of Latin guitar Hermanos Gutiérrez; and celebrated composer and pianist Max Richter have been announced as the headliners for the this year’s edition of the annual festival, which will run from 1 to 18 July.
Recommended Reads 📚
Turkish Farmer Discovers Rare Mosaic of Ancient Hunt – Dating to the late Roman period, a stunning, figurative mosaic, found buried under just 50cm of soil and featuring the rare Anatolian leopard, may be the first of its kind in Turkey. by Ayla Jean Yackley for The Art Newspaper.
Murdered for Music – In Turkey, musicians are being targeted for their political views, for their Kurdish background or for simply performing. by Kaya Genç for Index on Censorship.
The Curatorial Journey Behind Olafur Eliasson’s First Solo Exhibition in Turkey – An interview with Ümit Mesci, one of the curators of Eliasson’s current exhibition at the Istanbul Modern, Your unexpected encounter, which runs through 9 February. by Eva Baron for My Modern Met.
Missing Artwork from İMÇ, Istanbul! – How did artist İrem Günaydın’s light box piece disappear from the Istanbul Textile Traders Bazaar? by Enes Çelenay for Velvele.
Review: Atıf Akın: Signals – Artist Atıf Akın’s recent exhibition at Pilot Gallery in Istanbul showcased his research on nuclear mobility and radioactive spaces over the past fifteen years through photographs, drawings, neon works, light boxes, and LED installations. Kaya Genç reviews the show for ArtForum.
'His Words Lingering Forever' – The Refaat Mobile Library is more than a tribute to poet Refaat Alareer; it's a movement, using literature to empower the fight for Palestinian freedom. by Priyanka Sacheti for The New Arab.
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