Kısmet: New Perspectives on Turkish Visual Culture
MAQAM 23 Jun at 18:00 CET

The multi-year project Kısmet delves into the diverse and complex facets of Turkish visual culture, seen through the lenses of different generations of image-makers. Artists Olgaç Bozalp, Ece Gökalp and Gülşah Bayrak will show different views of contemporary Turkey through their work. By bringing them together within Kısmet, we aim to present diverse perspectives on Turkish identity and show how identity can be expressed through photography.

Kısmet
Through the lens of Turkish visual culture

How do different generations of Turkish image-makers give shape to the worlds they live in? With shared heritage as the starting point, multi-year project Kısmet explores the complex and rich perspectives of Turkish visual culture. Initiated by the longstanding cultural, diplomatic and economical connections between Turkey and the Netherlands, Kısmet was created by artist Ahmet Polat and further developed with Foam.

In Kısmet, we explore the diverse and elaborate aspects of Turkish visual culture, as seen through the lens of different artists. From the historically renowned photojournalist Ara Güler, known for his striking black and white street photography, to contemporary image-makers such as Olgaç Bozalp and Ece Gökalp. We particularly offer space for a diversity of new, present-day perspectives, through the works of other emerging artists like Oğulcan Arslan, Alp Peker, Kıvılcım S. Güngörün and Cansu Yıldıran.

This curated theme dedicated to Kismet is the digital meeting point of a wide variety of physical and digital content connected to the topic: from (online) exhibitions showing work of these artists to articles and podcasts, responding and reflecting on the thematics.

Step into Kismet and explore its rich visual landscape.