WORD OF MOUTH MEMORY PART I – Probing Perspectives on Contemporary Art from Turkey

by Maja Markovic & Anna Zizlsperger

Being somewhat outsiders to Turkey and its art scene, we at exhibist set out to learn more about its history and how it came to be what it is today. What we initially found, however, were more limited accounts of what occured in the past. With this in mind, we set out to ask members of the art scene in Turkey for their memories and critical responsed to the last decade. We looked to create an analytical timeline of the rise of contemporary art from Turkey from the perspective of the experiencers themselves, in which we emphatically welcomed and encouraged dates, names, and specific events in their responses. Rather than simply a graphical representation of important events, this would be an ‚analytical mental timeline’ that would show the effect of such events on the psyche of the affected community. What we got in return was an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response of 50 artists, curators, gallerists, academics, writers, and art professionals, all eager to share their personal impressions of the art world around them, as they knew it then and how they know it today. 
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