CURATOR

If I were to organize an exhibition, if I were to choose a theme and if I had an artwork in it, what would it be? I prepared such an imaginary exhibition plan as an exercise in the question "What does learning to think like a curator add to an independent artist?"

Embracing the Sea

The sea and ocean have captivated and inspired artists for centuries. This vast expanse of blue, with its mysterious depths and ever-changing moods, has been a subject of artistic expression for ages. This exhibition aims to explore this fascinating world through a collection of paintings themed around the marine and oceanic realm.

Eight artworks in the exhibition explore different aspects of the sea.Sometimes the roughness, power, and mystery of the sea excite us, while other times its calm and peaceful atmosphere allows us to immerse ourselves.Sometimes it also triggers our imagination and transports us to a fantastic world related to the sea. The sea is not only about its beauty and power, but also about the dangers it faces.Some artworks highlight the devastating effects of marine pollution and climate change on the sea.

All of these artworks remind us that we need to instill a sense of marine conservation and take action to protect this unique blue for future generations.Through our artworks, we want to share the emotional bond we have with the sea, explore our relationship with it and work together to protect it.

1. Sea Turbulence and Voyage:

J.M.W. Turner - The Fighting Temeraire draged to her last Berth to be broken up, 1839, 91cm x 122cm

Hokusai - The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1831, 25.7 cm × 37.9 cm

These two iconic works dramatically depict the power and ferocity of the sea, the dangers faced by sailors and the journey of ships at sea. Turner's painting emphasises our complex relationship with the sea by depicting the last voyage of a retired warship, while Hokusai's waves remind us of the fragility of mankind in the face of nature.

2. Calm Sea and Horizon:

Claude Monet - Impression, Sunrise, 1872, 48 cm × 63 cm

Caspar David Friedrich - The Monk by the Sea, 1808–1810, 1.1 m x 1.72 m

Monet and Friedrich's works show a calm and peaceful side of the sea. Monet's sunrise painting depicts how the sea shimmers with light and the infinity of the horizon line. Friedrich's painting, on the other hand, reflects the sense of awe and admiration that the sea creates in people.

3. Sea Life and Man:

Hokusai - The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife,1814, 19 cm × 27 cm

Lucian Freud - Still Life with Squid and Sea Urchin, 1949, H 38 x W 30 cm

The works of Hokusai and Freud examine the vitality and diversity of the sea and the role of sea creatures in human life. Hokusai's fisherman's wife, who transforms into sea creatures in a dream, reflects the mysterious and magical world of the sea. Freud's still life painting emphasises the beauty and nourishment of seafood.

4. The Sea and Death:

Daniel Bozhkov - Darth Vader Tries to Clean the Black Sea with Brita Filter, 2000, Performance in the Black Sea, 50in x 35in

Nurgül Ergün - Momento Mori Under the Sea, 2023, 42x29,7 cm

Bozhkov's darkly humorous work draws attention to today's important environmental problems such as marine pollution. Your painting "Momento Mori" emphasises the contrast between the beauty of marine life and the inevitability of death.

Each title of your exhibition illuminates a different aspect of the sea, offering new perspectives for viewers to think and feel about the sea. I believe this selection will help to create a comprehensive and impressive exhibition to explore the profound impact of the sea on the history and culture of mankind.

Momento Mori Under the Sea

Seas; living organisms in it, water mass, plants and life must be protected as one of the requirements for its continuation. Life and Momento Mori is a reminder of mortality; whether human or all living things and even the importance of the lives of the creatures in the sea of the sea. Here, the "Momento Mori" is a place where marine life, time in order to draw attention to the protection from death accompanied by art history subjects.

Exhibition Hall : Tophane-i Amire Culture Center

Historical Context: Tophane-i Amire played an important role in the maritime history of the Ottoman Empire for centuries. Founded in the 15th century as a cannon foundry, the facility produced cannons and other weapons for the navy. Therefore, it is a historically appropriate venue for a maritime-themed exhibition.

Central Location: Tophane-i Amire is located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, close to the Bosphorus. This location makes the exhibition easily accessible to both local and foreign tourists.

Education and Events: In addition to exhibitions at Tophane-i Amire programmes and public events can also be held. This can stimulate interest in the history and culture of the sea and maritime will help. 

Visual Attractiveness: Tophane-i Amire has a historical and beautiful architecture has. This will contribute to the overall aesthetics of the exhibition and will create a pleasant environment for visitors scale applications are possible. Light installations accompanied by exhibitions in a virtual undersea environment will appeal to the viewer.

Audience Experience

The exhibition aims to enable viewers to experience the paintings effectively by using AR/VR glasses or IA. 

Visitors can examine the works of different artists with AR/VR glasses and learn about their artworks, the holograms of the paintings in 3D and feel the realism of the paintings better.

Here are exhibitions that can be examples of this idea.

Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirrors" Exhibition: This exhibition used AR glasses to add additional information and animations to the paintings. Visitors could explore the stories behind the paintings and gain a better understanding of the artist's vision.

"The Next Rembrandt" Exhibition: This exhibition used AI to create a new painting in the style of Rembrandt. The AI analyzed Rembrandt's paintings to create a new painting in his style.

"Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius" Exhibition: This exhibition created holograms of Leonardo da Vinci's artworks. Visitors could see the paintings in 3D and experience the realism of the paintings in a new way.

Thank you.