The opening attracted significant attention from academics, distinguished guests from the art community, students, and cultural and art followers. The exhibition emphasizes that imperial decrees (firmans) were not solely political and legal texts within the historical context, but also powerful carriers of mystical, symbolic, and cultural memory. In his works, Prof. Dr. Erol Kılıç reinterprets tughra, seals, talismanic symbols, and the aesthetics of calligraphy through a contemporary artistic vocabulary, guiding viewers on a visual journey across centuries. His paintings reveal a renewed sensory and intellectual connection between the past and the present.
During the opening speeches, the Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Fine Arts and SATMER highlighted their shared commitment to bridging cultural heritage with artistic production, as well as their dedication to supporting innovative and original artists. The exhibition also provides an inspiring ground for young artists and researchers interested in exploring new perspectives on history, authority, identity, and representation.
With this unique selection shaped by Prof. Dr. Erol Kılıç’s original artistic interpretation, visitors are invited to walk across a mystical bridge between the traces of the past and the perceptions of the present. The exhibition is open to all art lovers, and admission to the Istanbul Gelisim Art Gallery will remain free throughout its duration.
