World Art Day - Turkey April 14-16 In 2011 Leonardo Da Vinci's birthday, April 15 th has been accepted as the World Art Day at the International Associations of Art (IAA)/UNESCO general assembly after the proposition of IAA Turkey and its president Bedri Baykam's presentation. Leonardo, bearer of many multi-disciplinary characters, a painter, sculpture, writer, philosopher, inventor, mathematician; and also with these qualities, being the past and the future representative of contemporary art's multi-disciplinary works, has been accepted unanimously for this day. The goal for the first World Art Day celebrations this year, was to anounce this day with multi-disciplinary activities. Thus, with this idea, Istanbul being the centre city, celebrations were held in different cities throughout Turkey. 9-23 April Shop Window Exhibitions 96 artworks by 86 artists, including sculptures, were displayed on the windows of 72 stores on the very well known district of Şişli/Nişantaşı Abdi İpekçi, Rumeli, Halaskârgazi and Teşvikiye Avenues for 14 days. Ministry of Culture and Tourism Ertuğrul Günay and Mayor of Şişli Mustafa Sarıgül visited these exhibitions on April 12 th. Nesren Jake 80x100 Bessini Shop Window Piramid Art Center Publishing Director Ayşegül İyidoğan, Şişli Municipality Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, UPSD President Bedri Baykam, Minister of Culture Ertuğrul Günay, UPSD General Secratary Safiye Mine Erdurak, WAD General Coordinator Öykü Eras
12-23 April Sculpture Exhibition 9 works of 5 artists were exhibited on the Abdi İpekçi Avenue. April 13 th, The Panel A panel entitled Eternal Renaissance Genious Leonardo and World Art Day, where Tomur Atagök, Bedri Baykam and Yusuf Taktak were the speakers, was held at the Akatlar Cultural Center of Beşiktaş Municipality, and the students of specially selected high schools participated. Prof. Tomur Atagök, UPSD President Bedri Baykam, artist and faculty of Yıldız Technical University Yusuf Taktak
April 14 th, Şahin Ünal Exhibition Sarıyer Municipality organised a Şahin Ünal Exhibition for the celebrations of World Art Day. The President of IAA Turkish NC, Bedri Baykam talked about the World Art Day and its importance in the speech he delivered at the opening of the exhibition. April 15 th, The Opening World Art Day celebrations began with Çiğdem Tunç's presentation and continued with Bedri Baykam's and Şişli mayor Mustafa Sarıgül's opening speeches. After the speeches, painter Adnan Çoker received an Honorary Award and another artist Komet, accepted our best regards. The celebrations took place with the contributions of Şişli Municipality, continued with a cocktail at the Beymen Brasserie. Bedri Baykam, Adnan Çoker, Mustafa Sarıgül, Çiğdem Tunç Komet April 15 th, Stands World Art Day celebrations started at 12 pm on the Abdi İpekçi avenue. At the 26 stands opened with the contributions of important publishers and art institutions, various art books and designs were sold. Yapı Kredi, İş Bankası, Suna İnan Kıraç Foundation, Boyut, Piramid Art Literatür ve Taschen publications sold books and Piramid, Borusan, İstanbul Culture and Art Foundation (IKSV) and İstanbul Modern Design sold their boks and designer products. Book Stand of İstanbul Modren Museum
Shows A group of students from the Doga College performed on stage at Abdi İpekçi avenues. Then, a modern dance group of four dancers took the stage. After the modern dance performance, a dance group called Tango to Istanbul put on their show. Abdi İpekçi avenue was occupied with different shows throughout the day. A pandomim group of three performers put out a performance throughout the street. Live sculptures were among the most applauded shows. Bulutsuzluk Özlemi and Golden Horn Brass Quintet Concerts Bedri Baykam took the stage for his World Art Day speech. After that, Baykam, he invited the rock group Bulutsuzluk Özlemi to the stage. Then after their concert, Golden Horn Brass Quintet took the stage and performed the last show of the celebrations on the Abdi İpekçi Avenue.
WAD Exhibition On the evening of April 15 th, World Art Day celebrations continued with the WAD Exhbition with the participation of 60 artists at the IAA Turkey's gallery. After the exhibition the day ended with the Bring Your Own Bottle party at the premises of the gallery. April 15 th Galeri Espas Asilva Workshop The artwork at the of Gallery Espas' workshop with the participation of their artist Asilva, which was organized in order to make the kids remember this day, was donated to KAÇUV (Hope for the Kids with Cancer Foundation)
April 16 th Conference A conference entitled Leonardo Da Vinci, Modernism and Utopia was held at the Italian Cultural Center. The speaker was Alessandro Vezzosi, the founder and president of Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Vicci. Alessandro Vezzosi Museums on the World Art Day Istanbul Modern Art Museum opened its doors free of entrance fee until 10pm on the World Art Day. A conference with Šejla Kamerić was held, as a part of La La La Human Steps exhibition, under the name of the World Art Day. The works in the education department had the World Art Day theme. Borusan Contemporary also opened its doors free of entrance fee until 8 pm on the April 15 th and offered visitors a free Turkish / English tours. Children's art workshop was held free of charge for the WAD on April 15 th. Sakıp Sabancı Museum offered a free entrance to the visitors until 10 pm. Pera Museum was also free of charge between 12pm-18pm. IKSV supported us by announcing the world art day as a part of Film Festival and opening the doors of IKSV design shop on Sunday, on the day it is normally closed, and offered special discounts. İstanbul Modern, Pera, Sabancı, Borusan Contemporary and IKSV helped us spread the news of this day by distributing the brochures and fliers we sent them and played a key role by announcing the WAD through social media.
Other Activities Kartal Municipality hosted a street exhibition of the artists we chose and made art accesible to the general public. Çankaya Municipality colloborated with the Gallery Sanat Yapım and organized a series of events and published a newspaper for the World Art Day. Thus, took part in spreading this day around as our partner in Ankara. They also published a newspaper fort he occasion. ÖHEP private school in Alanya also organized a spectacular celebration. Celebrations in Sinop took place with an exhibition organized by Sinop Visual Arts High School. Femin&Art Women's Art Association hosted a dinner in Dalaman for this day. The town of Datça celebrated this day with a series of theatre shows.
Çanakkale Çanakkale Municipality colloborated with the March 18th University and organized a classical music concert and independent painting acitivities. Erzincan University organized a group exhibition of 49 artists. Sinop Erzincan
İzmir - TAKSAV İzmir TAKSAV supported us by hosting grand celebrations. In general most of the municipalities supported us and made contributions by banners, fliers and helped us announce and spread this day all over.
Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools Mustafa Aykın Primary School - Göztepe/Kadıköy Mustafa Aykın Primary School - Göztepe/Kadıköy
Çanakkale Çanakkale Çubuk Primary School - Ankara Yeşilbahar Primary School - Feneryolu/Kadıköy Yeşilbahar Primary School - Feneryolu/Kadıköy Çanakkale Çanakkale