The rising cost of living, the deepening economic crisis, the diminishing trust in justice, the corruption of the social fabric, and the pressures on the media… We have left another year behind in the shadow of all these challenges. So, where is this ship headed? In recent times, consecutive disasters and crises have further deepened the uncertainties within society, making it a major question how the world of culture and arts will navigate through this chaotic environment.
To better understand this uncertainty, we listened to prominent figures in their respective fields, such as Hüsamettin Koçan, Şebnem İşigüzel, Gündüz Vassaf, Özcan Yaman, Uras Kızıl, and Gökçer Tahincioğlu. In their evaluations, they emphasized that art is a tool of individual creativity and a powerful bond that unites society. They pointed out the need for art to lay the groundwork for collective movements to alleviate the burdens brought by crises and to strengthen social solidarity. If you’re curious about this hopeful perspective, you may want to check out our feature article.
Speaking of our feature, we’ve also prepared a piece to lift our spirits and warm our hearts: an exploration of Valentine’s Day, free from the traps of consumerism, focusing on the inspiring loves in art. We’ve turned our attention to couples who have drawn from their relationships in their creative processes and reflected these dialogues in their art. Our list includes names such as Gilbert & George, Ted Hughes & Sylvia Plath, and Rondinone & John Giorno. If you’d like to discover the depth these special relationships brought to art, this feature is just for you.
In this issue, you will also find pages dedicated to remembering Arhan Kayar, whom we recently lost. Since the early 1990s, Arhan Kayar had devoted immense effort to the creative industries of this country. Until his unexpected farewell, he encouraged creativity in every sense, collaborating on joint projects with individuals producing across diverse fields. The pages where we speak with many names, from Hüseyin Çağlayan to Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar, from Aldo Cibic to Refik Anadol, and focus on his works, serve as a farewell to him.
In recent months, some activity at Markiz, one of Istanbul’s most iconic cultural landmarks that has long been closed, has piqued curiosity. We’ve learned that Markiz, in collaboration with PİLEVNELİ, will host the artist duo :mentalKLINIK and chef Carlo Bernardini’s Dehşetli Güzel (Terribly Beautiful) project until the end of February. On this occasion, let’s revisit these lines written by Haldun Taner about Markiz in 1983:
“… Here, every table was like a small island. Amid the crowd, you could find a silence that belonged solely to you. You could escape tiring conversations, meaningless arguments, and find an hour of peace. Occasionally, the sight of Avedis Efendi appearing and disappearing in his apron would complete the tranquility of the place. When I’m away from Istanbul, Markiz is one of the places I miss the most. People need such spiritual havens. During difficult times, I would go there and find myself.”
Haldun Taner’s words feel like a legacy that extends to the present. We all need such sanctuaries where we can find peace for our souls and rediscover ourselves. The revival of Markiz, once the jewel of Istanbul, through art while preserving its historic essence gives us hope. To celebrate this transformation, we’ve placed Markiz on the cover of this month’s magazine. Serkan Eldeleklioğlu’s midnight photographs, capturing the enchanting atmosphere of Markiz, immortalize this special moment.
With this first issue of the new year, we hope each of these pages becomes a spiritual haven’ that invites you to think, feel, and find peace.
