Devrim Erbil's New Book Yatay Derinlik Introduced

"Horizontal Depth," an exhibition featuring works by Devrim Erbil, a prominent figure in Turkish contemporary painting, drew considerable attention at MAJİ Art Gallery. The exhibition has now established itself in the art world as a book written by Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı. The book launch took place at Titanic Luxury Collection Bodrum Hotel under the leadership of MAJİ Art Gallery owner Gaye Donay and with contributions from Çiğdem Sabancı. Attendees at the event included Tamer Levent, Seray Sever, Nilüfer Aladdinoğlu, Meri Maliki, Nezihe Kılıç, Sevgi İsfendiyaroğlu, Gaye Sökmen, Sevda Akgün, and Ahmet and Sevtap Dördüncü.

"Horizontal Depth," an exhibition featuring works from all periods of Devrim Erbil, a living legend of Turkish contemporary painting, brought art lovers together at MAJİ Art Gallery in recent months and received considerable interest. Now this unique exhibition has been immortalized in the art world as a book from the pen of Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı.

The book launch took place at Titanic Luxury Collection Bodrum Hotel under the leadership of MAJİ Art Gallery owner Gaye Donay. At the event, organized with contributions from Çiğdem Sabancı, one of the important collectors in the Turkish art world, notable figures including actor Tamer Levent, presenter and actor Seray Sever, Nilüfer Aladdinoğlu, Meri Maliki, Nezihe Kılıç, Sevgi İsfendiyaroğlu, Gaye Sökmen, Sevda Akgün, and Ahmet and Sevtap Dördüncü attended as guests.

"Creating the 'Horizontal Depth' book is a source of great pride for me"

MAJİ Art Gallery owner Gaye Donay, speaking at the launch, "Over the past 9 years that I have dedicated to art in my professional life, I have organized 28 personal exhibitions, 86 television programs, 54 art seminars, numerous art workshops and 11 international social responsibility projects. However, publishing a book is a completely different experience. We will embark on a journey beyond Devrim Erbil's art, into his inner world. The Horizontal Depth book. Devrim Erbil shares not only his works, but also his perspective on art, the turning points he experienced and the challenges he faced in the creative process with us. Creating the 'Horizontal Depth' book on Devrim Erbil is a source of great pride for me. The 'Horizontal Depth' book, brought to life through the pen of Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı, about our state artist Devrim Erbil who left deep marks in the art world, offers a profound journey beyond Erbil's works into his inner world. The book not only allows us to understand Erbil's perspective on art and his turning points, but also enables us to get to know him more closely as a person," she said.

"The most precious legacy Sakıp Sabancı left us is valuing art" 

In her speech, Çiğdem Sabancı stated, "My late uncle Sakıp Sabancı reminds us that the most precious legacy he left to the generations of the Sabancı family is to value art and artists. It is a great joy for me to keep this legacy alive and fulfill its mission. What holds a society together is not just the people living in that society, but the common values and principles of these people. Common principles and values are strengthened by our cultural heritage and are the elements that make us who we are. Values such as living with passion, dedicating yourself to your work, always seeking the best, loving people, nature and the natural world, being productive and being able to express yourself well, actually describe art and artists," she said.

"Turkey is fortunate to have supported Devrim Erbil"

Prof. Dr. Uğur Batı, through his meticulous work during the book's preparation process, presented an important work beyond an art book. Speaking at the launch, Batı said, "We should be grateful for the presence of a profound painter in Turkey; Turkey is fortunate to have supported Devrim Erbil. Erbil, whose works span various styles defined by the term 'Horizontal Depth,' stands out as a universal artist. There is no other painter in Turkey with such comprehensive horizontal breadth working in techniques such as markers, batik, stained glass, carpet and kilim. We created the book around this concept. In the intersection of forms such as semiotics, rhetoric, literature and philosophy, we wrote a study in which we examined Devrim Erbil's essence and voice. We hope it offers a rewarding reading experience," he said.

"I aimed to create a more meaningful world through art"

In his speech, artist Devrim Erbil said, "I dreamed of spreading art throughout every corner of Turkey, of making young people more sensitive and refined. I believe that art is the most important force that can prevent negative events in our country. In international relations and in hostility towards humanity, I think we can overcome these negatives by placing the grace and sensitivity of art in the foreground. I emphasized that art has expressed emotions and love from the past to today; therefore, I stated that art should be made widespread. I taught these values to my students and they did not disappoint me. I fulfilled this mission not just for myself, but for the people and society. I aimed to create a more meaningful world through art," he said. Furthermore, noting that Uğur Batı's worldview and approach to art influenced him, Erbil expressed that Gaye Donay's establishment of a gallery to communicate contemporaneity, institutionalism and quality is an important step for art. He mentioned that he collected all his works in Bodrum and wanted to donate them to a museum, thanking everyone who helped him in this regard and wishing happy, art-filled days.

Following the launch, artist Devrim Erbil signed the "Horizontal Depth" book. The book consists of 226 pages.

Launch Video: https://sendgb.com/lqsUHvKGCFD