2011 » Turkey » Architecture Section

Curator:	Evcimen PERÇİN
Authors of Theme:	Evcimen Perçin
Designer / Architect of exhibition:	Pelin SÜRMELİ
Institution:	Turkish OISTAT- Center

PERFORMING in HİSTORY: New visions in creating alternative theatrical spaces

The main focus of the Turkish exhibition is the search for new, alternative theatre spaces and, in this respect, the interest in the historical venues. In Istanbul, during the last decade several abandoned 19th-century industrial buildings have been restored and transformed into cultural establishments. As a result, the characteristic architectural image of these structures has gained a new identity as cultural spaces. This trend began with museums and exhibition facilities, and has been followed by theatres as part of the search for alternative performing spaces. For the architecture section of PQ 2011, we present two theatres that have been created through the transformation of historical industrial buildings, and two adaptation projects – a theatre-train and a theatre-ferry – that make use of two significant, traditional means of public transportation from the last century. Although these projects differ from each other in form and scale, they nevertheless share certain distinctive characteristics in that they refer to the personal memories of the city’s inhabitants, they contain an imprint of the past, and they take advantage of these unique spaces by creating alternative playgrounds for the needs of an innovative, experimental and modern theatre. The fact that the people share a history with the venues makes them feel at home and open towards new art forms. The contradiction between “old” and “new” adds a new dynamism to the cultural and theatrical life of the city, and connects the past with the future. Projects to be exhibited: Project name: State Theatres in Üsküdar; project date: 1 September 2008; opening date: 10 April 2009; architect: Özgür Ecevit; location: Paşalimanı; Üsküdar, İstanbul Project name: KREK Theatre in Santral İstanbul; opening date: 27 December 2010; name of the Concept Designer: Berkun Oya; architect: Bülent Demir; name of the Producer: Nisan Ceren Göknel; location: Santral İstanbul; Eyüp, İstanbul Project name: Theatre Train – “Orient Express”; project date: 14 May 2009 – 19 July 2009; concept designer: Mustafa Avkiran, Övül Avkiran; project designer: Köroğlu, Ali Cem; location: Ankara – Stuttgart Project name: Theatre on Board (Floating Theatre); project date: 2009; opening date: Unrealized; project designer: Metin Deniz