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Nurullah Kaya

“Looking back at 2023, which event made you the happiest and most excited?” . I invite you to think about the answer to this question for a short while…

My teammate, dear Nurgül, posed a simple yet profoundly effective question that prompted me to delve into the myriad of experiences from the past year. With immense gratitude for this inquiry, I dedicate this article to the vibrant and emerging generations whose ideas continue to inspire hope in the face of the challenges encountered throughout 2023.

The past year has proven to be a challenging period for both Türkiye and the global community. In the midst of destruction and conflicts, particularly within my homeland, I’ve witnessed numerous well-intentioned initiatives related to architecture. Upon reflection, it becomes evident that amidst these various endeavors, creating a conducive space for the expression of young ideas emerges as the most promising investment for the future. 

As I pondered the answer to the initial question, a vivid scene from the past year solidified this conviction in my mind. Final presentation of i2p – Idea to Product studio, led by Burak Pekoğlu founder of BINAA Studio and Board Member of İstanbulSMD (Istanbul Association of Architects in Private Practice), in cooperation with İstanbulSMD and MEF Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. Happy students, happy foremen, happy academics, happy architects and happy industry professionals running in front of MEF University on a spring day, everyone is very happy, including me. Participants of the “i2p- Idea To Product” studio worked with three main materials, natural stone, metal and wood, and actively ran production processes on-site during a semester. By experiencing, and in the light of the theoretical and practical knowledge they acquired about tectonics and material behaviours, they transformed an abstract idea into “THE CUBE”, into knowledge, into design and more importantly into friendship. As the communication consultant to this project, I invite you to explore the intricacies and joyous moments of this transformative process through a detailed video narrative. It not only encapsulates the project’s evolution but also delves into the profound concept of happiness that permeated this creative endeavor. Enjoy it!

Expressing optimism for the expansion of similar projects and platforms, here are a few suggestions to consider if you are closing up the year in Istanbu.I firmly believe that encountering fresh faces, listening to new voices, and embracing novel ideas would be the ideal way for all of us to embark on the coming year. 

GEMSS 2023 – Emerging Architects Selection & Exhibition, which was transformed into a more inclusive format with its 2nd edition, which  I am delighted to be actively involved in coordination process, aims to record individual and collective current practices that contribute to the culture of architecture and to create a new ground for contemporary architectural discussions. It celebrates the diversity of alternative architectural practices for the 3rd time this year. This year showcases profiles of selected 10 practices that continue their practices in alternative fields, scales and mediums of architecture in Turkey and around the world.

Similar to GEMSS, BASE 2023, an initiative ongoing since 2017, stands as a beacon for newly graduated artists. By bringing together emerging talents with the public, art sector, creative industries, and media, BASE provides a launching pad for artists transitioning from academia to professional life. BASE 2023, with its exhibition featuring 130 works from 120 artist candidates across 26 cities and 36 universities, underscores the vitality of emerging voices in the art scene.

An exploration into the history of architectural education in Turkey is encapsulated in the exhibition “Architectural Education in Turkey: Thresholds of Institutionalization from the 18th Century to the Present.” This exhibit delves into the evolution of architectural education, revealing its roots, transformations, and interconnections with societal changes. You can witness the transformation of academic landscape, once confined to a single presence within the Military College, has now proliferated across over a hundred (a big question mark here) institutions, a testament to its growth. 

Turning our focus to the field of Interior Architecture, the İÇLİS – VI Symposium serves as a dynamic platform for sharing postgraduate theses. This symposium, encompassing master’s, doctorate, and proficiency in art levels, fosters a discussion environment for young researchers to showcase their academic contributions.

As I conclude this article, I am eager to acquaint you with the talented Kerem Durukan, whom I had the privilege to meet and visit in his workshop. Kerem’s creations, each of which captivates me as an individual object of desire, manifest into vibrant, joyful, and playful harmonies through a unique amalgamation of diverse colors, forms, and symbols. I extend an invitation to explore the lively and spirited Forever Young online exhibition, a tribute to Kerem, who we sadly lost in 2021, featuring a showcase of 60 of his remarkable works.

May the coming year be one of inspiration, renewal, and youthful energy.

Thank you for reading and here is a song for you!

Happy New Year!

🙂