The National Plastic Arts Association (UPSD) was established in Istanbul in 1989 within the body of UNESCO. It is understood that the main purpose of this international art association based in our country is to open up to the world. The most important and worldwide, even today, the beauty that the association brings to all humanity in these days when we embrace art under pandemic conditions, is "April 15 World Art Day". So how did this process develop?
In 2011, Bedri Baykam attended the International Association of Art-IAA meeting in Mexico as the Turkey representative of the National Plastic Arts Association (UPSD). At this meeting, he suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci's birthday, April 15 (1452-1519), be celebrated as "World Art Day" every year. After this proposal, which was accepted by the great majority, it is celebrated with various art events in many parts of the world on April 15th.
Although there is no detailed explanation as to why this day was determined as it is followed in the media, Bedri Baykam's statement clarifies this issue: "As the president of UPDS, when I went there with Secretary General Safiy Mine, I had the 'World Art Day' offer in my pocket. After all, we decided on Leonardo da Vinci's birthday. We had other options, but Leonardo's multi-disciplinary, rich, unique identity predominated… In the end, I explained why we wanted World Art Day by putting Leonardo's timeless universal features in the center…” Bedri Baykam's emphasis is on Da Vinci's artistic genius. The versatile artistic personality comes to the fore here. However, it is understood that the most important aspect of choosing this Renaissance master in a modern period is that he laid the foundations of modern art. From this perspective, it is seen that UPSD's desire for the ideal art organism coincides with Da Vinci's existence.
The Influence of UNESCO and the Spread of World Art Day
Another important step taken by Bedri Baykam to celebrate the "April 15 World Art Day" was to ensure that this day is recognized as an international day by UNESCO, through UPSD, which he chaired in 2018. This approval was realized in 2019. From this date on, the honorary awards of the association started to be given to the memory of Wallace Hartley and his band, who played music until the ship sank in the Titanic disaster. While the art-filled end of Wallace Hartley and his Group, which coincides with Leonardo da Vinci's birthday, is the main inspiration for World Art Day, UNESCO general director Audrey Azoulay stated the importance of World Art Day in the global depression caused by Corona (Covid 19) in the message on the institution's website. expresses it as follows:
“Bringing people together, inspiring, calming, and sharing: These are the forces of art whose importance is clearly emphasized during the Coronavirus outbreak. Billions of people, with hundreds of thousands of people directly affected and isolated or fighting at the forefront of the pandemic… World Art Day is a pertinent reminder of the integrity and binding power of art in a time of crisis.” -Audrey Azoulay.
What is the International Plastic Arts Association doing at the 15 April 2021 World Art Day event?
By emphasizing the active role of art in pandemic conditions, it brings together artist academics in Turkey over the Internet. They are opening this event, which they call Akademix III, online to all art lovers.
