ARCHIVE:

Mert Eyiler

My relationship with the everyday became much more pronounced, especially after the Gezi Park resistance. It evolved into a pattern that seemed disconnected at first glance, yet I believe the connections formed naturally. (…) “I believe I built myself by building structures,” he said with a smile (…) *** I read Paul Valery’s “Paradoxe sur l’architecte” in the 2000s. I must say I early accepted the relationship between what we do and the mathematical imagery of the Corinthian Maid. When I read this text again today, 

I realize that the ‘mathematical imagery’ mentioned there is also myself.

Having experienced the flexibility of geography, I want to list the tools/actions that always call me to the streets to open up discussions about the prevailing debate of ‘geography as fate’; one of which is the inevitable cycle of nature. 

0 – We’re stepping into spring, life begins anew. If you’d like to add it to your agenda, Asu Mansur, on March 21st, to welcome the equinox, the yoga practice that led me to surrender to the cycle was crucial – the biggest practice that helps me openly connect with the everyday flow surrounding us, another being architecture, of course. Hopealkazar, Cihangir Yoga still offer great encounters. Blessed be the spring 🙏

1 – Walking, it’s inevitable. Regardless of the season/calendar, it greatly helps me understand the new realm of life. When it comes to walks, the most valuable thing is the workshop/exhibition meetings/encounters. Burcak Bingol‘s workshop made me hold on tight once again. I felt it during the presentation we did at Studio X in 2017 or when I first saw Huseyin Caglayan’s capsule in Project 4L in 2003, with its timeless/placeless attitude. It’s exciting to meet again at Pilevneli – The Other Side. If you’d like to accompany the relationships with everyday life, I’m currently following two comments on Defne Tesal + Ahu Akgun’s works – Temas/Contact. The GEMSS selection focused on emerging practices harbors hope. I admire The Circle for preparing the ground to be developing in the Turkish geography. It’s the last days of their exhibitions. With the topography it is placed in, I tip my hat to IMC, which started as a cooperative in the Turkish geography. To accompany the everyday, here are some links: Tarlabasi, Nonsight.org, Pasaj ( Future M. Exhibition), Gonullokantasi.

2 – We’ve fallen into a time where the necessity of defending all kinds of states of being surrounds us. For the states of being a woman, the March 8th Women’s March is going to remind us of ‘solidarity’. It’s always important to stand by Bogazici University ((faculty/staff)). Spreading awareness for Gaza with Ahmet’s writings  is the most precious effort we can make from afar. I hope you’ll consider adding one of them. And Ramadan comes to the city. The tents without any design value throughout the city remind us to put more effort into representations of Ramadan in the city. The Earthly Tables set up along Istiklal Avenue still harbor the most sincere, civil, everyday encounters in the city. If you’d like to join, we’ve started to establish a relationship with Tarlabasi Community Center in the neighborhood. The importance of Tarlabasi for us comes from our belief in sweeping our doorstep. We’re preparing for LFA reimagine in May 2024.

3 – I make an effort to behave transnationally/transborderly. The housing crisis wraps our time as if it will last forever. My relationship with Tarlabasi is also from within this crisis. Moving to Salkım Saçak Sokak and trying to fit in No3 to my own life, I wanted to start a discussion based on the potential harbored by the existing building stock for LFA. Instead of adopting an attitude that freezes, stops, and stagnates everything, how can architecture be fluid? Can we consider the boroughs like Elephant And Castle, Brixton in London as crimes; did the Bronx in New York manage to adapt to fluidity? Or what would this fluidity resemble? Starting with emergency shelter, including Antakya, then settlement AIA UK – Emergency Shelter, we’re imagining how we can come out of these relationships I’m talking about.

Since we believe in the power of the everyday, the moment I want to start imagining/reimagining is precisely this moment. The value of this moment will also nourish what we reimagine. I think there are many things we can learn from each other, just like the socio-economic and political stance of Tarlabasi for Istanbul is very close to that of Elephant Castle for London or Brixton.

Migration (whether voluntary or involuntary movement) is currently a global issue. While thousands of people still try to cross from Dover between France and England, many die trying. It’s a great opportunity to think together for thinking together. Our expectation from LFA is somewhat this, a transfer center. Tarlabasi has a magnificent traffic for both the city and global movements.

How will we talk about relationships full of movement; with being settled, with architecture? Instead of adopting an attitude that freezes, stops, and stagnates everything, how can architecture be fluid? We aim to present it at vitralondon. In this study, we intend to revisit the current Brixton story and/or Elephant Castle relationships of London. We intend to gather opinions on the Battersea Power Station transformation.

4 – Is Istanbul a geography caught between techne industry 1.0 and 2.0? Industrial dynamics are gradually disappearing from the Turkish geography. Calling for living Industry 5.0, after Japan, adding this thought/lifestyle to everyday life is also very valuable to keep the oscillation between Industry 1.0 and 5.0 alive. In this regard, I am attaching the text published by RIBA on machines designing. We will discuss spaces designed for machines. 

5 – Transnational/transborder relationships:

I’m looking for Turkish practices operating outside. Bilge produces great work/ both The Keep and architectural practice are in full swing. A2Studio’s Kerem and Ozer’s works are always impressive. Following London from a distance, the connection we established with Feix&Merlin and Useful Studio – Catherine.

LFA preparations, Clerkenwell, Architecture Foundation

Dialogues with Far East Asia. Japanese architects – Marc Goodwin’s photographs have further strengthened the connection we’ve been trying to build lately.

For the great pleasure we’ve had, I thank Zeynep Beyza Gergin for everything we’ve thought together.