Flashmob on a ferry form Karakoy to Kadikoy. Dancers sitting among passengers who are aware of nothing. As music starts, dancers stand up and begin memorized choreography. Surprise is huge, who would have thought about breaking the journey’s boredom like that. But public art is all about changing the expectations from the city and release viewers perception from appointed scheme. It worked out, ferry’s passengers view of Istanbul won’t be the same after the performance.
“Don’t think, see, hear or speak.”
So remember to always be open-minded
“we’re against killing women”
“Men’s love kills 3 women each day”
Commenting on men’s brutality.
“I’m social drinker, Sevim” made by KUF Project, check the rest here:
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Ben-Sosyal-AlkoliAYim-Sevim/1996473
“forbidding is forbidden”
“don’t bow”
Hundreds yellow fists in Beyoglu
Wandering around Beyoglu district it turned out this is a place to be if you want to see some good piece of Istanbul street art. I made few photos just to show you, but what I was interested in was not the visual issue of public art, the more important seen political and social issues. So most of the presented material is just text, stencil, graffiti or hand written that comment current political events.
Sanat - fine art, yapıyoz - we’re making (informal)
This is a contradiction between hight art (sanat) and slang language (yapıyoz), so it can mean that uneducated person makes high art.
Collecting sounds of the city is not enough to create its full identity. Shopping malls, palaces, mosques, sightseeing attractions, restaurants are dead when not filled with people. Thats why collecting life stories of street sellers around Galata area was another step to constitute Istanbul’s identity. Recorded and filmed can connect us to the roots of the city. Most of them were a bit scared to share their stories, cause their were selling things illegally due to feed their families. Some said that their stories are to sad or complicated and too uncertain about the future to be told at loud. On the other hand Galata district is a lively and colorful place for young artists and musician. They didn’t hesitate to cooperate, acted really open-minded and were thrilled to share their hopes for the future and history of their life.
Literally means “against Tekel”
Text I found in Kadikoy saying that the beauty of capitalism kills.
Projection of the movie “Ekumenopolis” directed by Imre Azem was set on a parking lot. Discussing issue of urban and ecological changes in Istanbul during last 30 years is a strong input against business-based growth and changes in the city. This movie can be a great example how art and public art have a chance to be a part of democratic debate. It creates possibility of “agoraphillia”, term normally used in sexuology in political and social context means that person or society is willing to participate in agora. So stand for your opinions and being now afraid to tell them. Public art such as street art or even screening “Ekumenopolis” in public sphere allows artists and viewers to express their concerns about changes in Istanbul and leave a mark in governmental plans that include the danger of destroying beauty and natural sources of Istanbul.
