Istanbul Port in Turkish Modern and Contemporary Art

Istanbul "PORT" in Turkish Modern and Contemporary Art

Istanbul Modern's new exhibition focuses on Istanbul Port. "PORT," highlighting Istanbul city's relationship with the sea and ports, examines the cultural and social life that has developed in seaside and port areas in Turkish art from the 19th century to the present. The exhibition can be viewed between 28 January-4 June 2017. At the Salıpazarı port area, known as Istanbul Port, Istanbul Modern, which has been operating for 12 years, presents "PORT" as its final exhibition before transforming the Antrepo 4 building to a modern art museum meeting international standards. The exhibition, curated by Çelenk Bafra and Levent Çalıkoğlu, presents a selection of paintings, sculptures, models, engravings, drawings, photographs, videos and installations from 34 artists and collectives from different periods and disciplines. The exhibition accommodates symbolic and metaphorical dimensions of the "port" concept, investigating port areas beyond being a geographical location—as spaces of social and economic interaction—through their reflections in visual arts. "PORT," emphasizing Istanbul city's relationship with the sea and ports, tells through the eyes of artists the cultural and social life that has developed in seaside and port areas in Turkish art from the 19th century to the present.