The second edition of the Turkish Textile Biennial, themed ‘wave fabric’, has begun.
Alanya and Gazipaşa are hosting an important event that unites art and history. As part of the 2nd Turkish Textile Biennial, exhibitions are being held at the historical Kızılkule and Tersane, which are iconic symbols of Alanya, attracting art lovers from all around.
The biennial, curated by Nihat Özdal, will run until April 13. The Gazipaşa District Governorship hosts it, and takes place in historical sites located in Gazipaşa and Alanya. Notable venues include the Selinus and Lamos Ancient Cities, the Yalan Dünya Cave, the Red Tower, the Alanya Shipyard, and the Syedra Ancient City.
Curator Nihat Özdal highlighted the connection between textiles and water, stating, “Every year, the textile sector uses 93 billion cubic meters of water globally. Producing a single pair of jeans requires 10,000 cubic meters of water, while making a cotton T-shirt uses about 2,500 cubic meters. Additionally, 20 percent of global water pollution is linked to the textile industry, and approximately 100 billion new textile products are introduced to the market each year.”
One of the artists featured in the biennial, Özge Kahraman, is a member of the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG) and is investigating the physical, historical, and aesthetic aspects of caves. This exhibition marks the first time she has showcased her works in a cave. Kahraman expressed her excitement, saying, “Thanks to the biennial, this dream of mine has come true, and my works are finally connecting with the audience in Yalan Dünya Cave. As someone who has explored caves throughout my life, I had always viewed them from the outside. This time, however, the cave itself became a part of the exhibition. It’s hard to describe the atmosphere, but it was an unforgettable experience to present my art in a space where I feel most at home.”
Artists and Events
The artists participating in the Biennial are as follows; Alison Carpenter-Hughes, Aluan Arguelles, Anil Onen, Asli Ozer, Bawer Doganay, Berfin Dolas, Betul Kotil, Busra Sahin Korkmaz, Caterina Roppo, Cengiz Tekin, Diana Orving, Dilara Baskoylu, Dora Moneti Faggin, Ecem Dilan Kose, Fatma Tuzluca, Filiz Otyam, Giselle Lucia Navarro, Guillermo Anselmo Vezzosi, Gozde Ju, Gulbahar Gumusten Celik, Habibe Sicim, Irmak Donduren, Ibrahim Ayhan, Ilhak Altiparmak, Irem Zeynep Duran, Irem Oyun, Loya Kader Ozturkmen, Maria Ortega, Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien, Mehtap Baydu, Merve Guc, Movana Chen, Onongua Enkhtur, Ozge Kahraman, Ozgur Ozcan, Polina Shcherbyna, Rongomai Kapiri-Marama Hoskins, Samuel Nnorom, Sezen Karahüseyin, Sibel Ediş, Tayyibe Benek, Thomas Jackson, Tina Marais, Tuğçe Tekhanlı, Umut Evers, Veronika Cherednychenko, Zeynep Çilek Çimen and Zsofia Majorosi.
During the biennial, a vibrant array of weaving workshops, captivating exhibitions, engaging performances, and thought-provoking panels will be showcased for art enthusiasts.Esteemed artists from diverse backgrounds will participate, each bringing their unique perspectives to explore the profound role of textiles as vessels of stories and memories. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich narratives woven into each piece, uncovering the intricate connections between culture and personal experience through the art of textile.
Among the artists featured in the biennial are American Thomas Jackson and Swedish Diana Orving. Jackson stated, “What I like to do is take man-made materials and place them in natural landscapes to make them imitate nature.” Orving expressed, “The themes I explore are centered on transformation, movement, and the flow of nature.”
The 2nd Turkish Textile Biennial will remain open to visitors until April 13.
“The TT Biennial unites art lovers in the beautiful natural and historic locations of Alanya and Gazipaşa. It is a wonderful event, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists who contributed, as well as to the esteemed curator, Mr. Nihat Özdal.”
Editorial – Visit Alanya
Who is Curator Nihat Özdal?
Nihat Özdal is a multidisciplinary artist who concentrates on the role of water, particularly rivers and ecosystems, in cultural and ecological memory. His exhibitions primarily explore the intersections of archaeology, geography, and ecology, encouraging the audience to forge connections between nature and art. In addition to his artistic work, Özdal is a versatile writer known for his extensive contributions to the literature on textiles. His body of work includes several books that reference textiles, such as “Buttons,” “Skin,” “Scissors,” and “Fabric.”
