Tophane art walk - galleries

With a detailed map - finally - of the area it is easy, well not quite, to find the numerous brand new galleries in this part of Istanbul. 
a small selection of the ones that were open and accessable at the time I was visiting...

Daire Galeri

exhibition: A Room of One's Own

until 20 October 2012

the artist Hatice Karadağ finishing her latest painting

Gözde Başkent

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Juan Botella Lucas

at Pi Artworks Tophane

"Seven Sleepers (The Second Resurrection)"

until 25 November 2012

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Sudan Seyyareler

Galeri Ilayda Karaköy Harbour

Sudan Seyyareler - Aquaspheres

until 4 November 2012

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Gallery .artSümer

merve çanakçi

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In one of the small streets I spotted an artisst at work.  She was finishing a few pieces for an upcoming exhibition

Pinar Du Pre

more Istanbul galleries in future posts

artist/galerist with a heart

I must admit I was somewhat lost in Istanbul, lacking a descent map of the area I wanted to visit.  The unexpected sign towards 'the Museum of Innocence', inspired by Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk, led me into a small quiet street.  I decided to come back later mith my husband, but something else attracted my attention.

A tiny gallery, Hayaka Arti, the first one on my quest in this neighbourhood...

present group show with black and white art works

left: Cuban artist Noel Morera

Eda Gecikmez, charcoal on felt - left

Dilara Akay, ceramic - centre

Aziz Tavil, ink on paper - right

Artist Dilara Akay is the driving force behind Hayaka Arti, , a gallery where artists interact with the space, performances are taking place and above all many workshops are held for the local small children.  Artists will explain their work and help children to express themselves.

I got a private peek into the back space... the space for the children and Dilara Akay's own studio

Dilara Akay next to one of her pieces of artwork...

...and next to it, inspired by this work, two tiny artworks made by children,

One of the workshops with children started with drawings they made of their mothers.  These drawings were converted into dolls, it took the children several months to make them

artists and children are working on the same piece

a sculpture by Dilara Akay

I left the gallery with a happy heart and a map with local galleries...

some 500 meters from the gallery this tiny girl was sitting on the street next to a truck, utterly focused on painting...

... and a few hours later we passed this local café...

... and spotted her again.  Still painting and friends joining in.

Dilara, you are inspiring for many children and I'm sure a few of these enthusiastic little budding artists will take this further.  You and your artist friends are doing a great job! 

interfacegallery.com is the communication project of the Hayaka Arti alternative art and culture platform.  Artists from all over the globe can join in and post their work on the oline gallery.  Membership is free and at regular intervls interfacegallery.com will organize real/actual exhibitions of the originals chosen by curators among the works published at the site.

Dilara Akay

Hayaka Arti, alternative art and culture platform

çukurcuma caddesi 19a - Tophane 34425 Istanbul - Turkey

laB - modern restoration in Istanbul

On my stroll through the Tophane area I came across a tiny shop. 
My absolute favourite: laB - laBoratuvar

If I lived in Istanbul, this is where I would buy my furniture...

It's only three months ago that this young architect/designer couple, Ceren BASGOZE & Fatih BASGOZE, have settled in the neighbourhood.  A bit of a gamble as Fatih says, re-Use in modern living is quite new and unknown in Turkey.

I simply love the way they use antique furniture and add a modern feature to it

my favourite piece in the shop

the shop is a bit tiny to actually make decent pictures of the items so I was given permission to take a few pictures from their website (something I normally never do)

check the website to view more original designs

labtasarim.com
Lab creates modern architecture and interior designs by combining design dynamics whit its own view of the world.

Adress: Firuzaga mah. Bogazkesen cad.
No: 72/a
Tophane / Beyoğlu
İstanbul

Tophane, trendy neighbourhood in Istanbul

Tophane is a neighbourhood in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul with steep winding narrow streets.  At the bottom of these streets the brand new Istanbul Modern right next to the Bosphorus is reviving this part of town.  This museum attracts locals and tourists interested in contemporary art and as a result galleries and designer studios are popping up.

So my second day of exploring - without a decent map - takes me through the antiques ...

... towards the new...

Antijen Design

fashion designed by Nilüfer Karaca and made right here

designers that mix both, making new from old

Uslu Yöney

with delightful re-styled lights

Kadir Ulus wood design & sculpture studio

this is merely an handful of the many tiny shops and studios popping up in the Tophane area.  I simply didn't have enough time to explore all the streets.  Many more will open in the near future...

destination Istanbul

Lucky me, I can join my husband in a four day trip to Istanbul, Turkey

a few impressions...

the nostalgic tram running between Taksim and Tünel on the European side

The Galata bridge between the old European quarter and the old city.  All day long hundreds of people stand on the bridge with fishing lines.

and if they don't catch anything worth fishing...

... the fish market is right at the bottom of the bridge

under the bridge a long gallery with restaurants on both sides with a splendid view on the sea of Marmara and the beginning of the Golden Horn.  Downside... you can't walk peacefully here without being hassled to come in and eat something.

We spotted this colourful trendy bar we decided to go to when returning at night.  But the music was WAY TOO LOUD, simply unbearable.  I guess this place would be packed with softer relaxing music.

colour in the streets...

a waterpipe anyone?

cats are very popular and well looked after

A gigantic cruise ship is blocking the view of the brand new Istanbul Modern.  The terrace of the restaurant has a great view over the Bosphorus and Asian side of Istanbul.  We booked a table later that night as the ship sailed at sundown.

Many bars and restaurants are located on rooftops with splendid views over the old city or the Asian side like this one.

After four days our trip is over and from the plane we get a last view over the city

more on art in Istanbul in the next posts