Research Assistant Dr. Dilara Mataracı, a faculty member of the Department of Graphic Design at Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), took part in the “Four-Legged City” exhibition held on May 30–31, 2025, at the Istanbul Textile Traders Market (IMÇ). Organized by the Association for Urban, Nature, and Animal Studies, the exhibition aimed to raise awareness about the right to life of stray animals and was open to visitors between 15:00–19:00 at IMÇ units 5533, 5554, and 6531.
Featuring leading names of contemporary art such as Füsun Onur, İnci Eviner, Gözde İlkin, Burçak Bingöl, and Volkan Aslan, the event also included Dr. Dilara Mataracı, who presented a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and animals through her artistic production. More than just an art exhibition, the event also aimed to promote pet adoption and support animal welfare initiatives by combining aesthetic expression with social responsibility.
The exhibition included interactive experiences such as the performance “Animal Court” by artist İris Ergül, and a two-day “Mask Workshop” led by artist Yıldız Güner, where participants developed expressive animal figures and personal fables. Additionally, visitors were informed about adoption processes and met dogs in need of a home.
Among 21 participating artists, Research Assistant Dr. Dilara Mataracı contributed to the exhibition’s mission of raising awareness on animal rights through contemporary art, demonstrating how solidarity can be cultivated through artistic practice. With its sensitive and multidimensional content, the “Four-Legged City” exhibition invited viewers not only to observe, but also to take action.
