Every time when I am traveling abroad my
first encounter with the place starts from exploring the old parts of the city,
enjoying unique architecture, and trying local cuisine. However, recently I
have realized that in order to get to know the area better it is necessary to
go further than the city center, which is often crowded with tourists (that
might make many of us feel annoyed), because the real spirit of the city is
often more visible far from the touristic gems.
Since I am a huge fan of street art and all
forms of modern art in general, I have been trying to find some interesting
places here in Ankara that are usually out of must-see lists. However, there is
not much information provided on the internet, therefore I wish my text will
not only encapsulate my experience in Ankara so far but also be benefıcial for
many tourists who are looking for additional information before coming to the
capital of Turkey.
CerModern
My first stop in search of modern art
was CernModern. I have to admit, before coming to Ankara I have never viewed
the city as modern capital full of contemporary art, therefore my visit to this
art center surprised me very pleasantly. From the moment I walked in, the first
thing that caught my attention was the design of the center. Specific lightning
and spacious rooms enabled me to feel as I am walking inside of "art
factory". CerModern’s
design is so unique because it is housed in a former train maintenance workshop,
therefore the spirit of industrial railway is very much alive and visible.
At the moment of my visit CernModern
hosted 3 temporary exhibitions, which were very different from one another. Eren
Eyüboğlu’s exhibition "Life and art" covered the biggest territory at
the museum and left me very impressed. Romanian-born artist came to Turkey
after meeting the love of her life and stayed there ever since. In some of the
interviews she even claimed that Anatolia is her homeland and that she created her
most significant works in Turkey. Even though I have never heard about the
creator before, her works deeply impressed me and made me want to continue to
follow her art. The most significant feature of her works, that makes the artist
so unique, is a symbiosis between contemporary Western art and Eastern cultures.
Most of her works depicts daily life of ordinary Anatolians in semi-abstract
and expressionist manner.
The second on-going exhibition "Rhythm
and colour" by Iranian artist Salar Ahmadian almost hypnotized me with ıt’s
"dancing" ribbons and colourful shapes. Unique interpretation of
Arabic calligraphy on the canvas not only pleases every modern art lover’s eyes
but creates an Instagram-worthy photoshoot set to all the rest.
The third exhibition "Retrospective"
by Cypriot artist Aylin Örek introduced us with more than 100 paintings from
1960’s up to now. Since Örek has been traveling around the world and lived in
many different locations for most of her life, one can easily notice the mix of
foreign cultures and different influences in her works. Örek works depicts her
surroundings: daily life, ordinary people and architecture.
Where? Anafartalar
Mahallesi, Altınsoy Cd. No:3, 06101 Sıhhıye / Altındağ/Altındağ/Ankara
When? Tuesday to
Sunday 10:00 – 20:00 (closed on Mondays).
How much? Full
prıce – 20 TL,
Reduced prıce – 10 TL (students, 10 year old and above,
senior 65 years and above),
Free admission – for people with disabilities and for
children under 10 years old.
Galeri
Siyah Beyaz
When
I visited the gallery Argun Okumuşoğlu’s collection was on display. The
exhibition was very unusual because artist uses a lot of different materials in
the process of making his art. He mixes wood with cloth and perceives any
material as a medium to communicate with the audience. In his most recent
exhibition, that I had an opportunity to explore, he used the technique called frottage
that many of us remember from our early childhood when we would put a coin
between the paper and shade over in order to bring the ornaments of the coint
on sheets. Okumuşoğlu used the same technology but instead paper he chose
cloth. In his paintings artist often uses faceless figures and abstract
silhouettes which he names as people living in another dimension, creating
rather mystical environment. In his latest series one can encounter most recent
realities of the world that shocked, amazed or disguised many of us, therefore
most of the visitors can relate to the paintings. As the author says, his works
are based on what he and his generation had lived through, seen, listened to
and watched.
Where? Güvenevler
Mahallesi, Kavaklıdere Cd. 3/1-2, 06540 Çankaya/Ankara
When? Monday to
Saturday 11:00 – 19:00 (closed on Sundays).
How much? Free
admission
Arda
Sanat Galerisi
After
the series of Argun Okumuşoğlu in Galeri Siyah Beyaz, where faceless and
colourless figures were displayed, Zafer Malkoç collection at Arda Sanat
Galerisi fılled my eyes with colourfull tons and faces full off strong emotions.
Zafer Malkoç perfectly transfers people’s reaction on everyday’s reality and shows
Turkish youth’s wish for new fresh winds in the country, exhausted of
economical, spiritual and cultural crisis.
Where? Şehit
Mustafa Doğan Sokak 84 / A Çankaya-ANKARA
When? Monday to
Saturday 10:30 – 19:00 (closed on Sundays).
How much? Free
admission
Büklüm
Sokağı street and surroundings
As
soon as I arrived to the capital of Turkey I was thrilled to see huge murals,
artistic districts, full of street art and graffitties on the walls, which I
typically see in any European city. However, I was disappointed since I was not
able to find any murals and discovered that there were no active street art
festivals in the city. Even though street art is a completely new form of art
in Turkey, that country has a hard time to adapt, I was able to find some hinds
of it at Büklüm Sokağı street, which is not very far from the city center. Walking
past the street, I have soon felt as I was scrolling the streets of Amsterdam
or Berlin. Büklüm Sokağı is full of well-known
international brands, tattoo salons and hotels, which do not hesitate to
decorate their walls with modern paintings.
Most
of Europeans imagine that Ankara can only be proud of it’s breathtaking
mosques, ancient Roman ruins and vast markets. However, Turkey’s second largest
city can offer so much more. Ankara is becoming a blooming center of contemporary
art in the Middle East, attracting more and more curious art lovers every year.
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