15 April 2013 - World Art Day Celebrations in Turkey As UNESCO IAA Turkish National Committee we have identified our slogan for the World Art Day of 15 April 2013 as The world is to be saved by art not war with the emphasis on the uniting nature and joy of art. Below is the breakdown of all celebrations within the activities performed in Turkey for the World Art Day. World Art Day to be celebrated annually on April 15- the birthday of Renaissance Master Leonardo da Vinci started this year on the 7 th of April with the opening ceremony of OUR WORLD Exhibition. Beyoğlu Municipality Art Gallery exhibited 25 pieces of work selected for the Children and Youth Biennial produced by the dependent children of the charity foundation (Koruncuk Foundation). In the opening ceremony, Tijen Şikar and Ayşe Erel gave a speech about World Art Day to the participant children. The exhibition was between April 7 th and April 14 th. This year Unesco IAA Turkish National Committee organized joint activities in five major municipalities in Istanbul. Within the Şişli and Kadıköy municipalities, primarily situated in two major streets, original works of famous Turkish artists were exhibited in 55 stores, within the framework of display exhibitions and two street concerts intending to gather the public with art. The celebrations that took place with the contributions of Şişli Municipality was on the 13 th of April. The second 15 th of April World Art Day Celebrations began with a famous masters of ceremonies Çiğdem Tunç and continued with UPSD President Bedri Baykam s and Şişli Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül s opening speeches. Following this, there was a classical music concert performed by the children. The famous rock star Haluk Levent was on stage, the opening celebration ended with music and dance. In Istanbul s famous shopping district Nişantaşı, 34 artworks by 34 famous Turkish artists were displayed on the windows of 34 stores on the very well known district of Şişli Nişantaşı, Abdi İpekçi, Teşvikiye Avenues for 13 days (between 10 th of April and 23th of April). The mayor of Şişli Mustafa Sarıgül visited these exhibitions on April 13 th. 35 stands set up at Abdi İpekçi Street respectively, books and various products of publishers and museums were displayed and sold, namely Museum of Archeology and
Istanbul Modern, Istanbul Toy Museum, IKSV Istanbul Art and Culture Foundation, Literature, Milenyum, Neo-fikir, Patika Publishing, Koruncuk Foundation, Piramid Art Center,several publications such as İşbank,Yapı Kredi Bank, Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Taschen, Phaidon, Esil Art Materials, accompanied with live sculpture and pantomime,by various performers. The WAD Information Brochure distributed to each guests. On the 14 th of April, the Opening Celebration of World Art Day with the contributions of Kadıköy Municipality was in the Kadıköy district. The Kadıköy Celebrations began also with Çiğdem Tunç s presentation and continued with UPSD President Bedri Baykam and Kadıköy Mayor Selami Öztürk s opening speeches. On the second 15 th of April World Art Day Celebrations, the honor prize was given to Prof. Özdemir Altan due to the contributions he made to the art world in his career. Prof Özdemir Altan received the prize from the hands of the Mayor of Kadıköy, Selami Öztürk and Bedri Baykam.At his speech before the concert of Turkish famous rock band Bulutsuzluk Özlemi on the highly reputable Bağdat Avenue at his speech, Prof. Özdemir Altan underlined the value of this prize given to him by the most influential members of his profession, the UNESCO/IAA/UPSD association. Bulutsuzluk Özlemi in Bağdat Avenue In Istanbul s well known shopping district Bağdat Avenue some 23 shops have placed original 25 art works of famous Turkish artists to their display which were provided by UPSD Turkish National IAA Committee. The Shop Window Exhibition lasted between April 10 th 23th.
30 Stands set up at Bağdat Avenue respectively, art books and handcrafted products were displayed and sold. Museum of Archeology, Istanbul Modern, Istanbul Toy Museum, IKSV Istanbul Art and Culture Foundation, Koruncuk Foundation, Literature, Milenyum, Neo-fikir Publishing, Piramid Art Center, Esil Art Materials, Colorbox Art Materials participated likewise. Freedom Motorbike Club joined the activities and celebrations; Riders gave to the people the representational Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa Wedding Ceremony performance invitation cards on 21th of April. The Renaissance s two famous characters masks were worn on their faces. Five thousand balloons with our World Art Day Logo were given to children on the Bağdat Avenue. At Istanbul Toy Museum WAD balloons were given to visiting children during this week. On Sunday the 14 th of April Sabancı Museum and the Borusan Contemporary, were free for the visitors. The Borusan Contemporary celebrated WAD with children and organized a workshop. On the 13 th of April there was a free guided tour in Istanbul Modern Museum, a Mekacollage workshop was arranged for the children on the 17 th of April. In the evening of April 15th, WAD Celebrations continued with the Youth Reunion Exhibition collecting the works of 60 young artists under age 36 started at the Istanbul gallery of UPSD / Unesco IAA with a reception.
On the 18 th of April, a panel discussion titled Captivating and Situating Art in the Context of World Art Day was held at the Caddebostan Culture Centre (CKM) with the attendance of UPSD President Bedri Baykam, Professor Tülin Onat and Professor Nilüfer Ergin. On the 20 th of April, at a lunch organized by the municipality of Princess Islands, the Mayor Dr. Mustafa Fersakoğlu and artists gathered together at the reknowed Anadolu Club. Turkey s second WAD Celebrations s slogan The world is to be saved by art not war titled posters and billboards were placed on the main streets in the Princess Island. On the 21 st of April, the World Art Day Ceremony with the contributions of Kartal Municipality was at the Hasan Ali Yücel Culture Centre. The Ceremony started with our board member Murat Havan s presentation, followed by Bedri Baykam and Kartal Mayor Dr. Altınok Öz s opening speeches. The performance on the wedding ceremony of Leonardo de Vinci and Mona Lisa was executed with the participation of AIAP Turkey s President Bedri Baykam and Kartal Municipality Mayor Dr. Altınok Öz, followed by a reception and a rock concert Sun Brast together with street exhibitions of famous Turkish artists. Leonardo da Vinci&Mona Lisa wedding performans in Kartal Kartal Municipality displayed short films by students of Kartal Film Club during this week. Beşiktaş Municipality exhibited the works of 20 famous Turkish artists from different generations on large scaled billboards placed in critical spots in the district. Maltepe Children Penitentiary Manager Naci Yıldız opened the door to UNESCO / IAA Turkish National Committee Artists, Şener Taciroğlu, Nilüfer Çile and Elvan İzli gave the information about 15 th of April World Art Day. Selmin Cansudemir, Ali Onur Güncel, Aşkın Topuzoğlu, Seyhan Aksen Paksoy from Istanbul Bar Association Center of Infantry
Rights came together, at the Maltepe children penitentiary, a mural painting was done together with the 50 children. WAD T-shirts were offered to each child. IELEV Schools opened three campuses in three schools, the organizations were assisted by our board member Nebahat Karyağdı. Turkish well known artist Ekrem Kahraman made a speech about 15 th April World Art Day and Art & Environment. Pre-school students studied Ekrem Kahraman s paintings and painted what inspired them. The students prepared name badges by using 20 famous world artist s paintings. They painted WAD T-shirts and bags with their tutors. A Marble paper workshop and 15 th of April WAD Exhibition was organized. Kadıköy Moda Fine Art High School organized World Art Day Student Exhibition. Gallery Espas organized a WAD workshop with children. WAD Group Exhibition was executed in Bahariye Art Gallery between 15 th -30 th April. Also WAD poster and WAD Logo were used and various artistic events were organized in the following galleries in Istanbul: Degas Art Gallery, Olcay Art, Bakraç Art Gallery, Kızıltoprak Art Gallery, Niş Art Gallery, Oda Art Gallery, Gallery 360, Bimisal Art Gallery. Çubuklu High School arranged Painting in Nature Performance in Beykoz Çubuklu Park. In various locations of Turkey, joint activities were organized to encourage and create awareness around April 15 th World Art Day, supported by press release. İbrahim Demirel s Sanat Yapım Art Gallery in Ankara organized a painting exhibition named To Ascend or Descend The Stairs on the stairs metaphor of Leonardo da Vinci. 25 Turkish Artists participated. The Gallery published 15 th of April World Art Day newsletter special edition also to be found of line at www.sanatyapim.com. Bedri Baykam s The world is to be saved by art not war introduction article and Tijen Şikar s 15th of April World Art Day Events in Turkey article was published. In Bodrum, Bodrum Art Association s Director Yüksel Güner organized an activity named Come With Your Easels, Canvases, Paints and Palettes at the Bodrum Square on 15 th of April. Artists worked and tried to create awareness around the of 15 th April World Art Day. The connections for the organization were assisted by our Unesco / IAA Turkish National Committee member Ayşe Hinnerkopf living in Bodrum and Bodrum Art Member also. Antalya WAD Celebrations were announced by Plaza Art Gallery s administrator İclal Dağlı. WAD Activities and Exhibitions organized with WAD Logo, title and headlines as follows: Plaza Art Gallery, Art Park Gallery. Ansan Culture Center & Art Gallery Conference: Art Education in Village Institutes (Köyevleri) on 17 th April. Yediarıklar Art Group organized WAD Group Exhibition between 15-21 of April. Kalkan Culture House Celebrating The WAD With Begonville painting exhibition. April 15 World Art Day Celebrations with the contributions of the İzmit Municipality and KOSEV was started on the 15 th of April at Dörtyol Alemdar District. These organizations were led by Asuman Türegün. After the Ak Party Kocaeli Minister Fikri Işık s and Mayor Dr.
Nevzat Doğan s opening speeches the minister and the mayor visited the open air exhibition around the pedestrian road. The shop Windows Exhibition was organized on the famous Fethiye Avenue in İzmit. On 15 th of April the Municipality gave a reception in Art Café in Cumhuriyet Park and thus KOSEV Artists and mayor Dr. Nevzat Doğan came together. The WAD Group Exhibition was opened on the 30 th of April at the Gölcük Municipality Art Gallery. (City of Kocaeli) Artworks of artists from Gölcük were displayed. The Turkish Fine Arts Association organized also a group exhibition. The artists displayed their works between 15 th -19 th of April in the gallery of Devrim Erbil Contemporary Art Museum in Balıkesir. The 15 th of April World Art Day Celebration in Alanya steered by Meltem Gemalmayan took place with the contributions of the Alanya Municipality. There was a Şehit İbrahim Armut Anadolu Öğretmen High School in Anamur. live music concert, live performance, painting, sculpture, carpet weaving, origami, glass works, traditional marble paper, piñata, workshops. Fossil and photograph exhibition were organized. The Tekirdağ Fine Art High School organized also a 15 th of April World Art Day Exhibition. Eskişehir Anadolu University arranged the 15 th of April World Art Day Exhibition in the gallery of Turgut Özakman in Eskişehir. The Mayor of Yenimahalle Fethi Yaşar participated painting performance which was arranged by the Akdora Art House in Ankara. A mural painted by the students of Şehit İbrahim Armut Anadolu Öğretmen High School in Anamur. The Sinop Fine Art High School organized the 15 th of April World Art Day Exhibition. İzmir Sev Primary School arranged live performance, the marble paper workshop and there was a panel discussion on what is art. President of the Republic of Northern Cyprus gave a WAD reception in Nicosia / Northern Cyprus With the contribution of the Değirmenlik Municipality and Europe Union 2. Gibrisli Culture and Art Festival was organized. European-Mediterranean Arts Association EMAA gave a message about WAD.
The World site of Google celebrated WAD with a tribute to old masters starting with Van Gogh s Starry Night. We would like to thank and express our kind appreciation to those who have granted their support, the efforts put by the Turkish National Committee, stores and shops with a receptive and welcoming attitude, members, art galleries, museums, municipalities, artists, publishers, art centers, volunteers, students and lecturers, charity organizations and world art day project team, Ceylan Mutlu, Ayşe Erel, Pınar Selimoğlu, Nazan Kuşçu, Nebahat Karyağdı, Melik İskender, Duygu Okay, Banu Karakaş, Murat Havan,Piramid Sanat Stuff, İbrahim Demirel,Necdet Mercan, Zeynep Saka,Cruiser Riders, Freedom Riders,Sakarya Motorbike Clup,TR Riders,Turk Bikers, Tevfik Kızgınkaya (Adalar district),deniz Gökduman, Abdülkerim Bozan, Öykü Eras as coordinator and Ekin Onat Von Merhart as project manager. Bedri Baykam President UNESCO IAA Turkish National Committee International Plastic Arts Association Tijen Şikar General Secretary UNESCO IAA Turkish National Committee International Plastic Arts Association