Shorts-Weekend-Izmir Art

Now that we have settled into our grove here in Izmir,  I'd like to share with you some of our weekend adventures.

Last weekend we took advantage of Ege University's  bi-annual exhibition of modern Turkish Art . I had gone the previous weekend, and visited only one of the galleries. I ran into a few colleges from Dokuz Elul University and found myself in a lecture hall for a few hrs.  Art speaks all languages, but lectures in Turkish.  It was fascinating to sit in a foreign lecture, thank fully with plenty of slides. Most importantly I learned there were at least a dozen galleries participating in the bi-annual all around the city so...


On the 12th of December Rena, Sarah and I went looking for the modern Art of Izmir. It was a beautiful fall day to be on searching for Art. We started at the Ege University museum and then to the Kültür center, right next door.
   These hosted invited artists from Istanbul and Ankara, and impressive display of  paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramic, and more.





We headed towards the clock tower for our next stop. The İş bank near Kermeralti's entrance gate has a gallery on the 2nd floor. This space hosted a fabric & textile show.

Then by bus we headed out to the train station in Alsancak. This beautiful station is under renovation and should be active again in Jan. 2011. (inshallah). The Artists had used the space for installation pieces.

Next we walked towards the football stadium to an art center. This use to be a factory and now has been renovated into an art center.  The campus includes large cafe, many out building to  host art and artist. A few outdoor stages to host performances and lager halls for large scale sculpture installation. The sterile post industrial brick grounds with giant chimney has a unnerving romantic eery feel. I  think it is a great place for art and I would like to organize a show for this space...someday!

And yes there was tea!
 If you're looking for Art in Izmir....try these Arts Galleries, and let me know what is showing.

(Sanat Galerisi) - Izmir:

1. T.C. Kültür ve Turüzm Bakanlığı
   mithatpaşa cd. No 94 Konak-Izmir

2. İş Bankası
   çobanoğlu zekibey cdç No. 2 Konak-Izmır

3. Konak Belediyesi Güzelyanı Kültür Merkezi
   32 sokak No.4 Güzelyanı Parkı yanı Güzelyanı-Izmır

4. Izmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Tarihi Havagazı Fabrikası
   Alsancak Lıman Karşısı  Alsoncak-Izmır