İstanbul’s creative renaissance: contemporary art and sustainability in the cultural capital

euronews (in English)

In this episode of Explore Türkiye, we uncover how İstanbul’s contemporary art scene fuses heritage with innovation, from major museums to artists like Deniz Sağdıç reshaping creativity and impact.

Transcript

00:00I'm in Istanbul, a city that never ceases to amaze.

00:09Beyond its classical and historical landmarks,

00:12this metropolis is a thriving hub for artists, performers and creatives.

00:17Here, tradition and innovation blend perfectly,

00:20giving life to a dynamic and ever-evolving cultural scene.

00:25Istanbul's unique location between Europe and Asia has made it a cultural crossroads

00:33and for years now it's been one of the global capitals for contemporary art.

00:38Art galleries and museums are spread across the city.

00:42We begin our journey at Istanbul Modern, an institution designed by the renowned Renzo Piano in front of the Bosphorus,

00:50you can get lost in its 15,000 square meter galleries among paintings, sculptures, digital art and installations.

00:58This museum celebrates and nurtures the region's creative talent,

01:02offering visitors an immersive experience showing the world of Turkish modern and contemporary art.

01:09One of the key missions of Istanbul Modern is to document, collect, preserve the creative industries

01:17from our own country and the surrounding region of Turkey,

01:21from which we organize permanent exhibitions as well as publications and public programs.

01:29Providing a multifaceted and multipurpose experience to different audiences and generations,

01:35this museum offers an innovative program of temporary exhibitions, like Ömer Uluci's Beyond the Horizon,

01:43which traces its creative journey, pushing the boundaries of modern art

01:47and exploring humanity's connection with the universe.

01:51Each corner at the Istanbul Modern tells a new story,

01:55weaving traditional and contemporary creativity into something entirely unique.

02:00Art is not just about aesthetics, it can also be a powerful tool for change.

02:09One artist who embodies this philosophy is Denise Sadec.

02:13Denise coined the term Sustainable Art to describe her practice.

02:18She uses over 40 types of upcycled materials, such as denim, plastic and everyday waste,

02:25to create striking portraits that blur the lines between sustainability and creativity.

02:32Her work addresses urgent social issues like the global waste crisis.

02:41She transforms discarded materials into art that inspires eco-friendly thinking

02:46and expresses a deeper belief about our shared responsibility towards the planet.

02:52The importance of human portraits, all the blocks in nature, all the parts of nature, all the stories in condition that were left,

02:59the beginning of human portraits.

03:01I am going to make you a face with a look-to-face portraits that are inspired by all you,

03:05and seeing a piece come to life is truly captivating.

03:09Actually, this is the relationship between the paintings that are created at the temple.

03:13You must have been to a publicist.

03:15Looking through the applications and seeing a piece coming to life is truly captivating.

03:21When I put it here, I'm going to compare it to the top of it.

03:26Would you like to try it?

03:27You can do one more.

03:29I don't want to ruin it.

03:31For example, here is a light tone.

03:33This is a light tone.

03:34It's more than here.

03:36It's more than here.

03:38As climate change and our consumption escalate,

03:41Denise's art reminds us that change must start with a shift in perspective.

03:51Our final stop is another place which celebrates today's art in all its forms and disciplines.

03:58Arter, with six galleries and around 1,500 works,

04:02highlights Turquia's dynamic contemporary art scene

04:06and plays a key role in shaping its future.

04:09As a cultural worker who started his career in early 90s,

04:13I have witnessed the growth of perception and appreciation of contemporary art

04:20art by audiences.

04:22Today, it's not comparable.

04:25I have seen how it really grows.

04:28And with the contribution of the growth of institutions like Arter,

04:35I believe this perception and appreciation will even be bigger in the near future.

04:44Arter is the perfect example of how Istanbul's contemporary art scene

04:49blends tradition with bold new visions,

04:52earning a standing ovation for its creative spirit.

04:56Gorosh Rus!

04:57fleet of a parallel nahi,

04:58e.

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