From the Bosphorus With Love: The Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
Merhaba from Istanbul,
Istanbul is as mesmerizing as ever! The air is crisp, but the sun shines behind the clouds, hinting that spring is right around the corner. Every time I am in Istanbul, I am in awe of the Bosphorus, so elegant yet so powerful, separating Europe and Asia. As I am writing you this letter, I am sitting on a bench watching the calm life of the fisherman and the ferrymen. The golden sunlight is reflected off the water as I stare at the ferries that travel from one continent to the other as if it was nothing.
But, I am telling you, Istanbul, is also the city that never sleeps. I find the noise of the city beautiful. I was so excited to leave Istanbul because it was chaotic but, visiting now, I feel at peace because I know no matter where I am or what time it is, I am never alone. Oh and guess what, I was finally able to visit the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art or like the Turkish people call it: Istanbul Modern. You would love the new exhibition of Chiharu Shiota,“Between Worlds.” It is held at Istanbul Modern as part of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey. I am learning something new everyday! You should see the inside, it's magnificent. As I entered, my breath was taken away by the huge red threads (and I mean GIGANTIC) that traveled across the room. Shiota drew inspiration from Istanbul’s location between Europe and Asia when constructing the exhibition. The name makes so much sense now that I realise the purpose of the exhibition. What adds to this is the location of Istanbul Modern in Karaköy, one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city ( I told you there is always something going on in Istanbul).
When I visited, there was also Olafur Eliasson’s “Your Unexpected Encounter” exhibition on show. I love his work. This exhibition was a collection of his works spanning 30 years, but in order to honor the Bosphorus, he worked in collaboration with the location of the museum as well as its design. It was all about light, reflection, and movement—just like the Bosphorus. There are installations that make you feel like you’re standing inside a wave. My personal favorite was “The room for one color.” I walked in the room lit by a monochromatic yellow light and the longer I stayed in, the weirder I felt. It even made my skin color look green and my veins black. Crazy. Both exhibitions capture Istanbul’s essence in their own way. Schioto leans into the city's history and complexity, while Eliasson transforms its movement and light into an immersive experience. I am looking forward to visiting Istanbul with you again. I promise that you will love it, and now you will even have a tour guide by your side - oh and don’t worry, I won’t charge you! Anyways, I hope to see you soon!
With love, from the Bosphorus.
xxx
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