At our 536th Art Gathering, we invite you to explore a "magical garden" hidden within a historic mansion overlooking the Bosphorus on the hills of Kuzguncuk. Together, we will visit the "Folia" exhibition, held at the Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion under the auspices of Koç Holding.

This mansion was built in the 1880s by the Egyptian Khedive Ismail Pasha as a hunting lodge. Later, it was purchased by Sultan Abdul Hamid II and allocated to the last Caliph, Abdülmecid Efendi, who was known for his artistic personality. Efendi transformed it from a mere summer residence into a vibrant cultural and artistic academy, hosting leading artists, writers, and intellectuals of the time.

Now, the "Folia" exhibition is located in this historically significant space. Curated by Selen Ansen and Eda Berkmen, the exhibition takes its name from the Latin word "folia," meaning both "leaf" and "madness, excess." Inspired by Ömer M. Koç's concept of a "magical garden," the exhibition explores this dual meaning. Engaging in a deep dialogue with the architecture and history of the mansion, the exhibition invites visitors into a multi-layered world where fantasy and reality, the familiar and the strange, intersect from the moment they step inside.

In this world, over 300 works by nearly 100 artists from a vast time span from the 19th century to the present day, and from a wide geographical area stretching from Japan to South Africa, are brought together. Paintings and sculptures, botanically inspired installations, and handcrafted objects are displayed side by side. Douglas White's giant "Black Palm" in the garden, Camila Rocha's "Hanging Fern" installation hanging from the building, and Rebecca Louise Law's site-specific works, including the "Net" made of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling, are among the highlights of the exhibition.

*Due to high demand, there may be long queues at the entrance. We kindly ask you to arrive early.

Wednesday, December 17

12:00-13:00

Address: Kuzguncuk, Kuşbakışı Caddesi No:18, Üsküdar

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tXnGRi592DZqiegU7?g_st=ipc

At our 535th Art Gathering, we are visiting the Rixos Tersane Istanbul and Aliée Collections.

The historical past of Tersane Istanbul dates back to 1453, the year of the conquest of Istanbul. Established as Tersane-i Amire (Imperial Shipyard) by order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, this area served as the center of the Ottoman Empire's naval power. Transforming into an industrial heritage site from the 20th century onwards, the historical shipyard has now gained a function as a cultural and life center after a comprehensive renovation process. The Rixos Tersane Istanbul and Aliée Art Collection possess an international and contemporary character. The collection focuses on site-specific, large-scale installations and sculptures by world-renowned artists. These works explore universal themes such as migration, identity, consumer culture, and memory.

Created with an approach parallel to the historical fabric of the Golden Horn and the craft culture it has preserved for centuries, the collections, along with Rixos Tersane Istanbul and Aliée, which embody the spirit of Istanbul, offer a unique selection that brings together art and craft, heritage and the present. Both collections bring together works by many local and international artists. We will tour the collections with curator Fahriye Çobanoğlu. https://alieeistanbul.com/en/the-art-collection

Wednesday, December 10

12:00-13:00

Address: Camiikebir, Taşkızak Tersanesi Caddesi No: 5, Beyoğlu

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3LVn8iyQu96eTLNS8?g_st=ipc

At the 534th Art Meeting, we visit the studio of artist Cihan Öncü.

Cihan Öncü graduated from Dokuz Eylül University's Primary School Teaching Program in 2010. His career began in fashion photography. Since 2017, Öncü has been building a portfolio of photographs characterized by a direct visual aesthetic that serves as a window into his inner world. His solo exhibitions include Motus, Dirimart Pera, Istanbul (2024); Cihan Öncü, Dirimart Pera, Istanbul (2022); and Dream and Diversions, Dirimart X Ritmo Zeytino, Bodrum (2021). His group exhibitions include Never Never Land (online exhibition), Vortic Art (2022); All Else Is Far (curator Ceren Erdem), Dirimart Dolapdere, Istanbul (2021); Mamut Art Project, Istanbul (2020); and Vogel Art, Berlin (2019). Cihan Öncü lives and works in Istanbul.

Cihan Öncü's artistic journey centers on capturing the essence of everyday life through vibrant color and fostering deep connections between his work and viewers. His innovative approach, which seamlessly integrates visual art with textual elements, enriches the depth and impact of his projects while inviting viewers to explore a profound narrative. Öncü, a multifaceted storyteller, uses photography as a tool to convey the richness of human experiences and foster cultural memory and understanding. With an unwavering passion for experimenting with color printing in the darkroom, he masterfully imbues each photograph with his unique perspective, creating a captivating and sensory experience. With a distinct focus on color photography and a predilection for still-life images, Öncü's creations invite viewers to intimately connect through their senses. This quest epitomizes his commitment to storytelling through photography, bridging cultures, generations, and histories, and preserving the richness of human experiences and heritage. Cihan Öncü's artistic practice is a harmonious symphony of colors, emotions, and connections; each photograph tells a unique and profound story, poised to leave an indelible mark on the worlds of art and photography.

Wednesday, December 3

12:00-1:00 PM

Address: Teşvikiye Neighborhood, Yedi Kardeşler Sokak, No: 4A, Şişli

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NE6dWRMPpe68pvPN9?g_st=ipc

At our 533rd Art Meeting, we visit the studio of artist Tuğba Yüksel Öztopçu.

Born in Istanbul in 1979, Tuğba Yüksel Öztopçu completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Art Education at Marmara University's Atatürk Faculty of Education and received her master's degree in Fine Arts Education from the Institute of Educational Sciences at the same university in 2021.

In her paintings, the artist combines figure and object in a simple and unified manner. Her works often feature female figures and simple objects from everyday life. Using a clear compositional structure and a simple narrative style, the artist creates a calm, orderly, and introspective atmosphere through these choices. This harmonious union between figure and object creates an emotional and serene space in her paintings that gives the viewer pause.

For her, painting is a silent medium of expression that reveals emotions. She continues her work as a journey that connects a simple world with her inner voice.

Tuğba Yüksel Öztopçu has held solo exhibitions "Kimsecik" (Istanbul, 2015) and "The Bus" (2012) in Paris. She has also participated in the group exhibition "YAW" in France (2020), the "Collectiv National" in Belgium (2017), and the group exhibitions held at the Staatliches Museums in Germany (Augsburg, Bocholt, Mannheim, Selb, and Solingen), which were extended to 2017. She continues her painting work in her studio in Istanbul.

Wednesday, November 26

12:00-13:00

Address: Göztepe Neighborhood, Çimenzar Street No: 36, Floor: 2/1, Kadıköy

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3huCh6uY8ZpNnfor9?g_st=ipc

At our 532nd Art Meeting, we are visiting Zihni Han as part of the 18th Istanbul Biennial.

Zihni Han is an integral part of Istanbul's historical fabric. Originally established in 1930 as the headquarters of a shipping company in Zonguldak, the building was rebuilt in 1973 at its current location in Tophane. Despite coastal transformations such as the Galataport project, this historic structure has preserved its originality. With its robust and functional architecture, it provides a raw platform for contemporary artworks, bringing together the city's economic past and contemporary art.

The space features works by 16 artists, including Abdullah Al Saadi, Willy Aractingi, Karimah Ashadu, Chen Ching-Yuan, Ian Davis, Celina Eceiza, Pélagie Gbaguidi, Rafik Greiss, Jasleen Kaur, Valentin Noujaïm, Marwan Rechmaoui, Stéphanie Saadé, Sara Sadik, Sohail Salem, Elif Saydam, and Selma Selman.

Some of the artists and their works that stand out include: Abdullah Al Saadi, who has been archiving his relationship with nature for over forty years through found objects, drawings, and notes, creating a personal inventory. Chen Ching-Yuan, with his works from his "Bricks and Timber" series, questions what endures after destruction. Karimah Ashadu explores themes of labor and remembrance with her film "Machine Boys" and her bronze sculpture "Wreath," which resembles tire tracks. Selma Selman, in her performance piece "Motherboards," critically examines modern economic systems by focusing on the extraction of precious metals from discarded electronics.

Wednesday, November 19

12:00-1:00 PM

Address: Zihni Han, Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa Neighborhood, Tophane İskele Street No:12 Karaköy

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kqECwWEWuEivg7PE8?g_st=ipc

At our 531st Art Meeting, we're visiting the Historic Cone Factory as part of the 18th Istanbul Biennial.

As we enter the Historic Cone Factory, one of the impressive venues of the Istanbul Biennial, its graffiti-adorned raw brick facade and heavy iron gates stand out. Located in the backstreets of Karaköy, in an area experiencing rapid gentrification, this two-story, high-ceilinged building was once an ice cream cone manufacturing workshop. Over time, it hosted artisan markets and exhibitions, and even served as a music band's studio and concert venue. Today, it continues to serve as a space for culture and interaction. The Biennial showcases the work of two artists who have forged a deep connection with the industrial fabric of this historic factory.

Doruntina Kastrati's installation "A Horn That Swallows Songs" (2025) offers a close look at the invisible labor, particularly that of women, in Istanbul's Turkish delight factories. The work, spread across two rooms, creates an immersive environment evoking the conditions of a factory floor, the endless workload, and repetitive rhythms. Ultrasonic speakers and transducers placed on the floor emit low-frequency vibrations that convey a jarring physical sensation to the viewer.

Claudia Pagès Rabal's "Five Towers of Defense" (2025) explores fractured perceptions of time, militarization, and precariousness on physical and social scales. The installation is centered around a 34-minute film titled "Night of the Five Towers of Defense." Projected from the ceiling and shot in 360 degrees, we see four performance artists performing a slow-paced choreography imbued with both emotional and military precision. The film's narrative, delivered in Catalan, Spanish, and English, allows us to hear the languages ​​representing the conquests of Andalusian history together.

Wednesday, November 12

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Address: Historical Cone Factory, Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa Neighborhood, Murakıp Sokak No: 12, Karaköy, Beyoğlu

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zXPjh2EXuNGdijVg7?g_st=ipc