Berka Beste Kopuz’s solo exhibition Soil Saves History II is open at Merdiven Art Space from November 7 to 30, inviting visitors into the hidden memories of an abandoned hunting mansion in Istanbul’s historic Acıbadem neighborhood. Rooted in the artist’s childhood memories and her years-long research into her surroundings, the exhibition explores themes of memory, identity, and space through the lens of this forgotten structure.
The once-prominent Acıbadem neighborhood, with its history dating back to the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, became a prestigious residential area favored by Levantine families in the 19th century. The mansion that inspired Kopuz’s work reflects this rich cultural and architectural heritage, symbolizing a forgotten part of Istanbul’s past. Driven by curiosity, Kopuz embarked on her journey in 2019, gathering archival materials, sketches, and reflections in a journal that would form the backbone of this exhibition. The journal, a central element of the show, invites viewers to flip through its pages, bridging the past and present through personal and historical insights.
Kopuz’s multidisciplinary approach frequently emphasizes themes of urban history and archival exploration, aiming to unearth the often-overlooked stories embedded in city spaces. In Soil Saves History II, she captures the resonance of the past, exploring the relationship between time, place, memory, and the act of forgetting. Through layered works, she tunes into echoes concealed beneath the soil, offering visitors an opportunity to confront the persistence of memory and the inevitability of loss.
Curator Melike Bayık describes the exhibition as a glimpse into “the untold stories of Acıbadem,” embodied by a mansion once known for its garden of white lilacs, now fading into the earth yet proving its existence through a blend of romanticism and enduring materials. Kopuz’s work stands as an invitation to reflect on both personal and collective memories, urging visitors to reconnect with a lost past while recognizing the remnants that shape their present.
