In hot summer days, many museums and art institutions offer a rich program of art exhibitions which reflect the endless energy of the summer. From the most important names of Turkish art to international artists, from group exhibitions to retrospectives, 2019’s summer exhibitions are number one address for those aiming to protect from the summer sun and experience an art escape in the city.
Arkas Koleksiyonu’nda Post-Empresyonizm, Arkas Sanat Merkezi | 13 Şubat – 28 Temmuz
“Post-Impressionism” is an exhibition which presents a selection of artworks added to the Arkas collection during many years of research, effort and investment. First set on stage in Istanbul and now in Izmir, the exhibition features works by European artists who were influenced by Paris-led ideas, and combined modern artistic expressions of post-impressionism with their unique cultural elements. Presenting 92 artworks by 42 artists, the exhibition gives a chance to explore works by masters including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Louis Anquetin, Maxime Maufra, Theo van Rysselberghe, Paul Serusier, Kees Van Dongen, André Derain and George Braque.
İplikten Çözülenler: Tekstilde Küresel Anlatılar, İstanbul Modern | April 22 – July 7, 2019
Istanbul Modern greets summer it’s temporary space in Asmalimescit, with its second hit temporary exhibition. The exhibition features works by 25 contemporary artists who use textile as a form of artistic practice and expression. Featuring works by Turkish and international artists who use a variety of textile-related techniques and materials, the exhibition presents a selection of artists including Burhan Doğançay, Gülsün Karamustafa, Hussein Chalayan, Heide Hinrichs and Zille Homma Hamid, all of which make us view the textile from a different point of view.
Aphrodisias, Ara Güler Museum | March 4 – August 23, 2019
Founded with an aim to explore Ara Guler’s artistic identity and inspiring life, and pass these onto future generations, Ara Guler Museum’s second exhibition presents his photographs taken at the Geyre Village and Aphrodisias Archaeological Site. In addition to these, the exhibition also features Guler’s original dark room prints, his correspondence with international press along with Guler’s model and notes form the preparation of his book entitled “Aphrodisias’ Scream.”
Ben Her Zaman Ötekinin Alanındayım, Müze Evliyagil Ankara | March 9 – July 14, 2019
Curated by Beral Madra, this exhibition presents 21 artworks from Agah Ugur collection. Created after 2000s, these works explore the images of men and women from different times and geographies. Making a suggestion that the performances of women and men in videos are embedded in contrast, a dialogue or an argument, these works aim to allow the viewer re-discover the gender boundaries in their own ideological and conceptual beings and in our contemporary societies.
Bizim Sayfiyelerimiz, Antalya Kültür Sanat Merkezi | March 28 – July 28, 2019
“Our Countryside: Selected Pieces from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey Arts Collection” studies the progress of plastic arts in Turkey based on a reading of landscape paintings. Organized in collaboration between Antalya Arts and Culture and the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, the exhibition sheds light on the impact of landscape painting on cultural life of Turkey. From Bosphorus to islands, Anatolia to Ankara landscapes, World War II to Paris School and Blue Anatolia Trips, the exhibition surveys the impact of cultural life on Turkish intellectual history and brings to light the intellectual transformation of landscape tradition within Turkish painting tradition.
Dostun Çekmecesinden, Bozlu Art Project | April 9 – August 31, 2019
Bozlu Art Project’s exhibition explores Cihat Burak, one of the most unique and extraordinary artists of Turkish art and his patterns found in Mengu Ertel’s private collection, who is known for his successful interdisciplinary works in areas of graphic and poster design and theatre decoration. Discovered in a drawer in Mengu Ertel’s home which looks like a museum, these works bring to light Burak’s and Ertel’s friendship and their time’s genuine and sincere relationships. Curated by Esma Ertel and Oguz Erten, the exhibition gives artlovers an opportunity to discover the interactions between different artistic practices such as painting, literature, music and cinema.
Mürekkepten, Pera Museum | April 11 – July 28, 2019
“Out of Ink” explores the rich artistic tradition and history of Chinese art which encompasses different materials including porcelain and textiles. Featuring works by 13 contemporary artists who take their inspiration from Chinese Ink tradition, the exhibition explores techniques beyond paper, brush and ink which reveal the cultural spirit of ink. Colored or black-and-white works by artists including Xu Binf, Jian-Jun Zhang and Zhou Fan give us a special opportunity to re-discover Chinese culture and explore the unknown parts of Chinese art tradition.
Belgeden Kurguya, Atölye’den Müzeye, Sakıp Sabancı Mardin Kent Müzesi | April 30 – September 15, 2019
The exhibition presents works by 17 young people who attended a workshop at Sakıp Sabancı Mardin City Museum organized in light of the exhibition “Photography’s Diverse States – Murat Germen Sectional Retrospective” which ended in March. Comprising of 250 photographs taken by 17 workshop participants, the exhibition presents the products of a 5-month work of the workshop led by Murat Germen and run by Ahmet Elhan. Hence it sheds light on the multiple dynamics between the concepts of “time/place” and presents young talents to the public.
Nuri Bilge Ceylan Baksı’da, Baksı Müzesi | May 1 – August 25, 2019
The exhibition reflects the multi-disciplinary artistic identity of the world-renowned movie director, script writer and photographer, Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Organized in collaboration with Dirimart, the exhibition reflects the artist’s journey into the rural areas from the lens of his photographs which were taken between 2003-2013. Presenting two series “My Father’s World” and “Cinemascope Turkey,” the exhibition aims to give the viewer insights into the artist’s inner world, draw attention to Ceylan’s close relationship with the fields of cinema and photography and represent his devotion for nature and country life.
Aslına Sadık Kalınmıştır, SALT Beyoğlu | May 22 – August 18, 2019
SALT’s new exhibition departs from the question “do you think things have a story?” Focusing on new meanings which drive from the production of things and their interaction with their viewers, the exhibition presents 15 artworks selected from two special collections. Turning these objects which have historical, archaeological and some modern meanings into artworks, the exhibition reveals their connection between each other and our day. The names whose work feature in the exhibition are Nancy Atakan, Kader Attia, Handan Börütçene, Cansu Çakar, Aslı Çavuşoğlu, Mark Dion, Haris Epaminonda, Iman Issa, Şaure Prouvost, Pak Sheung Chuen ve Dilek Winchester.
İki Arşiv Bir Secki: Ara Güler’in İzinde, İstanbul Modern Fotoğraf Galerisi | May 29 – November 17, 2019
Istanbul Modern’s second summer exhibition comprises of photographs brought together from Istanbul Modern Photography Gallery and Ara Guler Museum archives. The exhibition explores Istanbul’s transformation from the 20th century onwards, and the resultive collective memory through the lens of Ara Guler’s (1928-2018) photos and camera. Hence it takes us on a voyage to re-discover Ara Guler’s photography, which play a key role in our common iconography and memory of Istanbul.
Art Market II, Anna Laudel Contemporary | May 30 – July 11, 2019
Anna Laudel starts summer with the second edition of its summer group exhibition “Art Market II. This group exhibition aims to offer affordable artworks by 30 national and international artists working with different themes and mediums. It showcases a diverse and accessible selection including paintings, sculptures, photographs, engravings, prints, ceramics and neon works by artists Deniz Defne Acerol, Mustafa Aslıer, Erol Deran, Tuğçe Diri, İsmet Doğan, Tülay İçöz, Renan Kaleli, Bilal Hakan Karakaya, Ekin Su Koç, Serkan Küçüközcü, Felekşan Onar, Vedat Örs and Ardan Özmenoğlu.
Heykelde Yeni Keşifler, Kemer Country | June 10 – October 11, 2019
The exhibition presents works from “New Discoveries in Sculpture” competition organized by Turkey’s leading arts and culture magazine, Milliyet Sanat. The exhibition is hosted by Kemer Country while the first edition of the competition is organized under the guidance of Banu Çarmıklı and Sabiha Kurtulmuş. The aim of the art competition is to open up new doors to new talents and give unrepresented artists a platform to showcase their works and get discovered by the market. 10 sculptures selected by Agah Uğur, Aslı Sümer, Banu Çarmıklı, Derya Yücel, Ebru Özdemir, Erol Tabanca, Filiz Aygündüz, Melike Bayık, Meltem Demirören Oktay, Sabiha Kurtulmuş and Seçkin Pirim will be auctioned in the aftermath of the exhibition.
Herşey Seninle İlgili ve Sessizlik, Club Marvy İzmir | June 14 – July 22, 2019
Izmir Club Marvy greets summer with two exhibitions “Everything is about You” and “Silence.” The former is a solo exhibition by Rugül Serbest who takes her body and face as inspiration and use these as a form of expression to discuss different her emotional and spiritual situations. The latter is a solo exhibition by Mustafa Ӧzbakır. Through the interplay of painting, photography and cinema, the exhibition presents artist’s selection from movies which turn his personal state of mind into an artwork reflecting his environment and concerns.
All in One ’01, Galeri Bu Pavilion | June 15 – July 13, 2019
Organized in collaboration between Galeri Bu Pavilion and online contemporary art platform, the exhibition presents multi-disciplinary 42 artists works. Its rich content represents different contemporary art trends, encompassing a rich selection of painting, sculpture, photography, video, installations and illustrations which brings together art market’s well-established artists and new works by alternative names and perspectives. Hence the exhibition sheds light on different works produced in different periods along with the growing influence of the concept of “affordable art” over the art market.
Sagalassos İçin, Bozlu Art Project | June 20 – August 31, 2019
Bozlu Art Project Mongeri Building is hosting “For Sagalassos,” an exhibition which narrates the story of one of Anatolia’s latest ancient city discoveries. This social responsibility project brings together seven artists in order to shed light on the site’s past and rehabilitate the Roman Baths of Sagalassos. Looking at the tale of these lands which have been inhabited since Antiquity, trodden by Alexander the Great, and home to the Anatolian enlightenment, the exhibition features works by Murat Germen, Selma Gürbüz, Kazım Karakaya, Murat Morova, Seyhun Topuz, Utku Varlık and Semih Zeki.
Çağdaş Sanat 24, Mine Sanat Galerisi | June 26 – July 21, 2019
Mine Art Gallery is organizing the 24th of its traditional summer exhibitions “CONTEMPORARY ART 24” in its Yalıkavak Bodrum venue. The exhibition includes works in various mediums and techniques by the leading artists of Contemporary Turkish Art who have previously or currently been represented by Mine Art Gallery. Featured works by Halil Akdeniz, Özgül Aslan, Tomur Atagök, Bedri Baykam, Adnan Çoker, Nejad Devrim, Devrim Erbil, Ergin Inan and Balkan Naci İslimyeli will shed light on current topics and trends in Turkish contemporary art.
Simge Erdoğan