The inaugural edition of the Salt Artistic Research and Production Grant Program, organized in collaboration with the BBVA Foundation, is now on display at Salt Galata. The exhibition features projects by Aslı Uludağ, recipient of the Artistic Research Grant, and Ali Taptık and Merve Mepa, recipients of the Production Grant.
Aslı Uludağ’s installation, Hydro-Geothermal Bodies, is the result of her ongoing research since 2019 into geothermal energy development in Aydın, Manisa, and Denizli. The work presents a timeline mapping the legal, scientific, and economic shifts that have shaped the governance of hydro-geothermal resources in the region. It also includes a diagram illustrating private, public, and communal structures, alongside a map highlighting the spatial impacts of these developments. Field recordings of interviews with thermal bath owners, geological engineers, and local residents accompany a series of videos that delve into the region’s hydro-geothermal dynamics. The installation challenges conventional scientific measurement mechanisms while tracing the commons built around these natural resources.
Merve Mepa’s Meshwork explores the intricate entanglements between ancient weaving traditions and modern technological infrastructures. The installation centers on the concept of the “line,” derived from the Latin linea, meaning “linen thread,” and examines its manifestations across various systems. It contrasts centralized network structures—where connections converge in “power nodes”—with the concept of “meshwork,” a dynamic network of interwoven lines in constant flux. Through this lens, the installation unveils the evolving dynamics of connectivity, memory, and power.
Ali Taptık’s ongoing project, Osmanbey: Social and Spatial Entanglements, investigates the intersection of commerce, urban transformation, and the social fabric of one of Istanbul’s central districts. The presentation at Salt Galata includes a two-channel video and an installation that will be expanded with additional documents and photographs throughout the exhibition. Through a blend of visual storytelling and observational research, the work highlights the coexistence of diverse economic activities and the layered histories embedded within the district’s urban landscape.
The projects were selected by a distinguished committee comprising Ala Younis, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Fatma Çolakoğlu, Juan Pujol Rodríguez, Manuel Segade, and Vasıf Kortun. The exhibition is open to visitors at Salt Galata until June 15.
