This fall, the ancient, 1,500-year-old Basilica Cistern in Istanbul will transform into a mesmerizing gallery, hosting an exquisite collection of 22 crystal artworks by contemporary Czech sculptors Vlastimil Beránek and Jaroslav Prošek. The exhibition, titled “Gates of the Underground – Touching Space with Transition and Reflection,” is a collaborative effort between the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic.
Curated by Mahir Polat, Secretary General of the Istanbul Municipality, and Miroslav Kroupa, the exhibit delves into themes of the underground, perception of reality, mythology, reflection, and transformation. Beránek’s crystal creations engage with the Cistern’s water and stone, crafting a dynamic interplay of light, color, and reflection. Prošek’s works fuse glass, first produced in Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago, with subfossil oak wood, evoking reflections on collective memory and the present.
Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of the Cistern, this exhibition is anticipated to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, drawn both by daily tourist tours and cultural events. Following its Istanbul run, which spans from August 1 to November 30, the artworks will journey to galleries and private collections worldwide.
In a written statement, the organizers emphasized the uniqueness of this exhibition’s scale and setting. The blend of ancient ambiance with contemporary artistry promises a one-of-a-kind experience, inviting viewers to explore the depths of space, time, and reflection.
