A Beyoğlu Exhibition in Purgatory Opened at TMMOB Chamber of Architects, Istanbul Metropolitan Branch

Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Department Gökçe Uzgören is in the project team of the TÜBİTAK 1001 research project and the result of the Istanbul City Council, IMM City Planning Directorate Beyoğlu-Senin Project and the Istanbul Planning Agency “A Beyoğlu in Purgatory: A Beyoğlu Research”. Exhibition” was opened on April 7, 2022 at TMMOB Chamber of Architects, Büyükkent Branch.
 
A Beyoğlu in Purgatory Exhibition, which is the subject of the TÜBİTAK research project "Decisive Factors in the Reconstruction of Historical City Centers and Possible Scenarios: The Case of Beyoğlu", which explores the socio-spatial transformation of Beyoğlu over time, is held by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality City Planning Directorate in cooperation with the Istanbul Planning Agency. Within the scope of Beyoğlu-Senin studies, it is realized with the contributions of TMMOB Chamber of Architects, Istanbul Metropolitan Branch and Istanbul City Council.
 
Research lead by Prof. Dr. The project, undertaken by Asuman Türkün for three years, is an important source of data on Beyoğlu. Researchers Aslı Sarıoğlu and Dr. In addition to Çağrı Çarıkçı, PhD scholars Çiğdem İbişoğlu, Elif Kırpik, Gökçe Uzgören and Reycan Çetin took part in the project. Orhan Cem Çetin made the current photo shoots on the streets of Beyoğlu for the research. Within the scope of the research, in which almost all of the written sources about Beyoğlu were accessed, all the buildings in the region were visited one by one, classified and mapped according to their usage characteristics. Again, face-to-face surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted with residents and employees in the region. In these interviews, the identity characteristics of Beyoğlu and the elements that ensure the continuity and permanence of these features were determined. For this reason, the research is among the most comprehensive studies on Beyoğlu to date.
Curated by Eda Yiğit, the exhibition highlights the interesting and prominent aspects of the research, and invites the audience to an interactive experience. Ece Eldek carries out the graphic design of the exhibition with her creative touches. The website www.araftabirbeyoglu.com, where research findings are shared online, is open to access.
 
In addition to sharing the maps and survey transcripts produced in the research within the scope of the exhibition, there is also an interactive area where current questions about Beyoğlu are asked and a reading area with books about Beyoğlu. The book titled Beyoğlu in History, which is a chronological study, is waiting to be enriched with the contributions and opinions of the visitors.
On the occasion of the exhibition, the works of artists who contribute to the research and are expected to present works with Beyoğlu content can be viewed in small-size reproductions. This space, designed as an open wall, will be open to expansion and suggestions throughout the exhibition. The area in question has been prepared to open the door to new and creative productions that will gain archival quality in the future. Among the artists contributing to the exhibition are Arel Siviş, Arzu Filiz Güngör, Ateş Alpar, Ayşe Türemiş, Ci Demi, Cins, Derya Ülker, Ebru Özseçen, Ece Eldek, Eda Aslan, Erdem Varol, Evrim Kavcar, Furkan Öztekin, Füsun Turcan Elmasoğlu, Hazavuzu, Leman Sevda Darıcıoğlu, Nalan Yırtmaç, Nazım Serhat Fırat, Neriman Polat, Orhan Cem Çetin, Yücel Tunca, Zeycan Applause.
 
The exhibition will be open to visitors at TMMOB Chamber of Architects Istanbul Metropolitan Branch between 7-24 April.
 
Opening hours of the exhibition: 09:00 – 18:00 on weekdays