The 2nd International Ceramics Biennial Bursa, organized by the Turkish Ceramics Association, started on October 24. The main theme of the biennial, curated by Mutlu Başkaya, Fatma Batukan Belge and İlhan Marasalı, is "Quo Vadis/Where Are You Going”.
Turkish Ceramic Society (TSD), the first non-governmental organization active in the field of ceramics in Turkey, has been organizing various congresses, seminars, conferences, panels, exhibitions, etc. in the art, science and industry branches of ceramics for approximately 35 years. It works to increase interest in ceramics by introducing both industrial ceramic materials and ceramic art to the society. One of the most comprehensive events organized by the society for contemporary ceramic art is the International Ceramics Biennial Bursa. This year's edition of the biennial, which was first held in 2022, will be held between 24 October and 24 November 2024. Ten exhibitions can be viewed within the scope of the Biennial, which started with an intense opening program for four days.
The main theme is Quo Vadis?
The curator of the International Ceramics Biennial Bursa was undertaken by the artist members of the TSD Board of Directors, Mutlu Baskaya, Fatma Batukan Belge and Ilhan Marasali. The main theme determined by the curators is “Quo Vadis/Where Are You Going?” Emphasizing that they have determined a humanist and existential theme, the curators explain this issue as follows: “The welfare, freedom and autonomy of societies depend on the potential and responsibility of human beings. We know where we are today as humans, but WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Will the world still be a livable place in the future? What is it to be human? How does today's humanity shape the world? Can the human turn the future into a utopia by using his ability to find the truth? Is it possible to make life
better for all humans - and even other living creatures - to live well here and now, and to concentrate on leaving a better world for the future? The work of art asks questions and opens a path for the search for meaning among contradictory answers. QUO VADIS (WHERE ARE YOU GOING) is also a question that today's people should ask themselves. Let's not forget that "Every person is responsible for everything before everyone else." We wanted to see the works of artists who are witnesses and consciences of their age and focus on this.”
Natalya Korchemkina (left) and Inna Rogova (right) participated in Quo Vadis exhibition from Bulgaria.
Omer Gorkem received his award from TSF Deputy General Secretary Yasemin Ercetin Akyar. Loop, Omer Görkem
The works applied for the main exhibition titled "Quo Vadis", which is open to the participation of foreign and Turkish artists, were evaluated by an international selection committee. The Selection Committee consisted of Beril Anilanmert, Fatma Batukan Belge, Guangzhen Zhou, Ilhan Marasali, Mutlu Baskaya, Sayumporn Kasornsuwan, Vilma Villaverde, Xavier Monsalvatje and Zehra Cobanli. Among the 55 works worth exhibiting, Omer Gorkem's work titled "Loop" was deemed worthy of the Turkish Ceramics Federation Award worth 50,000 TL. In this work of Gorkem, who deals with the cycle of nature and life in his works, it is seen that the concept turns into an abstract form.
The main exhibition of the biennial can be viewed at Merinos Textile Industry Museum until November 24.
Works by Guests of Honor and curators
As part of the 2nd International Ceramics Biennial Bursa, the "Guests of Honor’s Works" and "From the Works of the Curators" exhibitions were opened at Hilton Bursa Convention Center & Spa. The works of the Biennial's Guests of Honor Gungor Guner, M. Tuzum Kizilcan and Arek Szwed allow art lovers to get to know them better.
Guest of Honor Gungor Guner with her installation titled “I Exhibit Water”.
The bowl shaped by Gungor Guner on the potter's wheel, to which she is passionately attached, the knot titled "A Difficult Situation to Solve", the giant pinwheel and geometric flowers are a summary of her artistic works. Her 3 square meter large installation titled "I Exhibit Water" (1993), consisting of ceramic square forms along with water-filled bags, touches on water scarcity and pollution, one of the most important ecological problems facing the world.
Guest of Honor Tuzum Kizilcan’s works titled “Faceless”
This exhibition includes Tuzum Kizilcan's works from the "Faceless" series, which he produced last year for the 100th Anniversary of the Republic. Some of the busts produced with the porcelain casting technique are displayed on sheet metal bases, and some are displayed as panels mounted on a colored stoneware form. Although this cluster of people made of unglazed matte porcelain creates the feeling of being cast in the same mold, they are separated from each other by small differences. With this work, Kizilcan questions the homogenization of individuals, lost values, and the prominence of material things.
Arek Szwed- Three Kings
Biennial’s Polish Guest of Honor, Arek Szwed, is featured in this exhibition with three of his sculptures. His works titled "Classification Madness", "The Journey of the Three Kings" and "The Storm Hunter" reflect his criticisms of today's people. The artist, who specializes in small and medium-sized ceramic sculptures containing repetitive road motifs, impermanence and dreams of constant flight, has a fairytale-like style.
Mutlu Başkaya- Hope
In the same place, there are also works of the curators that reflect their artistic styles. Mutlu Baskaya's works titled "Hope" (2007), Fatma Batukan Belge's "Three Jewels or Cintemani" (2018) and Ilhan Marasali's "About the Tree" (2001) reveal the artists' unique subject, form, texture and technical specifications.
Terracotta and Macsabal Sculptures
H.U. Macsabal Sculptures Collection
Old catapult facility (Mancinikhane), the outdoor area of TOFAS Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages, hosts two impressive collections this year as well. The exhibition includes a selection of works produced by Turkish and foreign artists in Turkiye's two important ceramic symposiums, Hacettepe University Macsabal Symposium and Eskisehir Terracotta Symposium.
Marta Jimenez (Cuba), Marta Berezhnenko (Ukrayna), Prof. Bilgehan Uzuner and the bust of Ataturk
Eskisehir Terracotta Collection Macsabal Collection he found in the ruins of Kurt Tile Factories.
Tofas Museum Director and Biennial Coordinator Aylin Tatlı (far right) thanked the curators.
Thanks to the symposium held since 2000 in Eskisehir, a pioneering city in spreading ceramics to the urban area and supporting this art, an important collection has been formed. On the other hand, the 14th Macsabal Symposium organized by Hacettepe University was held this year and the university has a large collection of these works. Selections from these two collections can be seen at the Tofas Museum.
Kim Hyeokyoung ve Kim Yongmoon’s performance
The opening ceremony of the exhibition at the museum was held on October 25; Prof. Bilgehan Uzuner and Assoc. Dr. Mutlu Baskaya gave information about the symposiums they lead. Then, the performances of Korean artists Kim Hyeokyoung and Kim Yongmoon titled "Art, the Origin of Life" were watched with interest.
Kim Yongmoon, who was the Guest of Honor at the first edition of the Biennial in 2022, chose this tree for the performance at that time. “This tree has been giving energy to this land for 700 years. In the same way, people get energy from this tree," says the artist, trying to emphasize the harmony of humans with nature. It also refers to the importance of the tree that witnessed the establishment of both the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkiye. Kim Yongmoon gifted the ceramic bowls (macsabal) he produced, which he used in the performance, to the collection of Tofas Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages.
Fantastic Teapots from TSF’s Collection, Akeramos Art Center
Fantactic Teapots
“Fantastic Teapots”, which are in the Turkish Ceramics Federation's collection of works by Turkish and foreign artists, are exhibited at Akeramos Art Center. These teapots consist of works donated by artists who participated in the selective International Fantastic Teapot exhibition held by the Turkish Ceramics Society in 2018. The interesting examples in the exhibition show that the teapots shaped by the hands of contemporary ceramic artists are no longer simple objects used to serve drinks, but have turned into sculptures. All of the teapots in the exhibition reflect the style and imagination of the artists. Now there is opportunity to watch these works, which show how the collective image of a 5,000-year-old object can be diversified, within the scope of the Biennial.
In Memory of Ayfer Karamani
The ceramic sculpture exhibition held at the Bursa Archeology Museum in memory of the ceramic artist Ayfer Karamani, who passed away this year, is a smaller-scale reflection of the exhibition the artist previously opened in the garden of the Istanbul Archeology Museum. Karamani's sculptures, which are exhibited alongside the sculptures in the museum's collection with the arrangement made by Ersu Pekin, can be seen after the Biennial until March 23, 2025.
A thousand years of heritage: Iznik
Iznik, with its thousand-year ceramic history, was included in the Biennial this year and an exhibition consisting of the works of tile artists was opened at the Iznik Museum. Traditional works that keep Iznik tiles alive with their forms, patterns, colors and glazes, and contemporary interpretations on Iznik tiles came together in this exhibition. The panel titled "Tile Art from Past to Present" held at the opening was watched with interest. E. Kifayet Ozkul, Latife Aktan Ozel, Raif Kaplanoglu, Timur Bilir and Turgut Tuna attended the panel moderated by Senanur Gundogdu Dodevski as speakers. The events in Iznik were organized by the Biennial's Iznik Coordinator, BUÜ Iznik Vocational School Instructor Senanur Gündoğdu Dodevski.
Speakers of Iznik Tile Panel
At the event in Iznik, Prof. Sevim Cizer talked about Yildiz Sima, who made great contributions to the ceramic art in Turkiye and who we lost this year. Cizer also signed her book titled "Ceramic Dictionary”.
Creating space for young people
Bursa Uludag University, as the host university, opened its hall for the Student Works Exhibition titled "Heritage". In this exhibition, the works of students of the first and most important Ceramics departments in Turkiye (Anadolu, Dokuz Eylul, Hacettepe, Marmara and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Universities) and Uludag University students are exhibited. Works inspired by a cultural heritage site in its region were selected from each department.
The 3D ceramic exhibition titled "Dataism" is also exhibited at Bursa Uludag University. The exhibition, which reveals how digitalization affects art through works produced with 3D ceramic printers, is also shown on Metaverse, as appropriate to its name.
The voice of another group whose lives have been touched by ceramics is heard at the Biennial:
A project was created in cooperation with Nilufer Municipality in order to introduce young people with mild mental disabilities or diagnosed with autism who are studying in the field of Ceramics at Special Education Vocational Schools in Bursa, to showcase their skills in the subject they are trained in and to raise awareness on this issue. Students from Mehmet Torun Special Education Vocational School, Alaaddinbey Special Education Vocational School and Contemporary Education Schools participated in the project, which was realized with the contribution of Bursa Ceramic Art Collective. The panel made by these students will be mounted at a point in the urban area.
On the hummingbird’s wing
Upon the suggestion of ceramic artist Canan Temizelli, the hummingbird was chosen as the symbol of the International Ceramics Biennial. This smallest bird in the world can fly at a speed of 90 km. and flap its wings 80 times per second. The hearts of ceramicists, who struggle with the nature of clay, the main material of ceramics, and strive to master the technique, beat like a hummingbird's heart during the creation, production and firing stages. According to the belief in some cultures, the fire that the hummingbird brings to the Earth vitrifys their works and makes them permanent. This year, ZEN Seramik designed and produced the Biennial's commemorative objects with hummingbirds on them.
ZEN Seramik, founded by Nihal Sarioglu and Zuhal Bilginalp, produced the commemorative plates of the Biennial.
In the following years, a competition titled "Children of Ates" was organized for the award statuette that would represent the biennial. The winning design in the competition organized in memory of Prof. Dr. Ates Arcasoy, one of the most important trainers in Turkiye on Ceramic Technology, was planned to be produced and used in future biennials. However, the competition jury, consisting of Bilgehan Uzuner, Fatma Batukan Belge, Hasan Baskirkan, Ilhan Marasali, Kemal Uludag, Mustafa Tuncalp, Mutlu Baskaya, Sevim Cizer and T. Emre Feyzoglu, could not find a work worthy of first place. Oruc Ongel's work was deemed worthy of second place, and Parandis Tayar's work was deemed worthy of third place. The competition exhibition will take place at UNICERA Istanbul Fair between 4-8 November.
Additionally, various conferences and workshops will be open to the participation of art lovers throughout the Biennial.
(From left) Mustafa Tuncalp, Huri Aykut Ulker, Beril Anilanmert, Bingul Basarir, Tuzum Kizilcan, Canan Ekinci Yilmaz, Aylin Tatli, İlgi Adalan; “1040 Degrees” ceramics documentary screening
Huri Aykut Ulker and Aylin Tatli were the coordinators of the comprehensive 2nd International Ceramics Biennial Bursa. A volunteer group consisting of ceramic artists from Bursa provided support. Canan Temizelli, Figen Ozden, Aysun Colbayır and Ozgur Aksu coordinated the exhibition venues they were responsible for as field leaders. All events were realized with main sponsors, venue and service sponsors. Apart from the main sponsor Durma Sanat, Nev Health Group also gave great support. Provincial Directorate of Culture, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Nilufer Municipality and Iznik Municipality allocated the venues free of charge. Only willing and voluntary contributions from sponsors who support art will ensure the Biennial's stronger existence in the coming years. Bursa, which hosts UNESCO World Heritage sites and historical buildings, deserves this support.
Detailed information about the biennial can be found at www.burseramikbienali.com.
BIENNIAL EXHIBITIONS | |
International Main Exhibition QUO VADIS? WHERE ARE YOU GOING? | Merinos Textile Industry Museum |
Guests of Honor’s Exhibition GUNGOR GUNER & M. TUZUM KIZILCAN & AREK SZWED | Hilton Bursa Convention Center & SPA |
HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY MACSABAL SCULPTURES & TEPEBASI MUNICIPIALITY INTERNATIONAL TERRACOTTA SCULPTURES | TOFAS Museum of Cars and Anatolian Carriages |
From Turkish Ceramics Federation’s Collection FANTASTIC TEAPOTS | Akeramos Art Center |
From the Works of Curators MUTLU BASKAYA & FATMA BATUKAN BELGE & ILHAN MARASALI | Hilton Bursa Convention Center & SPA |
Biennial Award Statuette Competition Exhibition CHILDREN OF ATES | UNICERA Istanbul Fair |
Ceramic Sculptures Exhibition IN MEMORY OF AYFER KARAMANI | Bursa Archeological Museum |
IZNIK TILES EXHIBITION | Iznik Museum |
Exhibition of Student Works HERITAGE | Bursa Uludag University |
3D Ceramics Exhibition DATAISM | Bursa Uludag University Metaverse |
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