‘74 LANDS IN ARNAVUTKÖY
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW AND EXCITING CHAPTER
Dear Friends of ‘74,
Over the past 14 years, compiling exhibitions and special cultural projects in Istanbul, New York and a gamut of places across the world, ISTANBUL’74 has had the pleasure of crafting inspiring and memorable experiences through dialogue and exchange between artistic fields. Along the road, we have had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most exceptional talents worldwide.
While we are happy to be and will continue to be a nomadic cultural organization, as we are getting ready to celebrate our 15th anniversary, it feels like the right moment to open a new chapter and start creating new memories and experiences in a new place to call home.
So, here we are, delighted to welcome you to our new home very soon, which marks the culmination of ‘74’s vision, community, creativity, curations and dreams.
Now under one roof, in a renovated five-story traditional wooden building of Arnavutköy, we have created an open house for our community we have built over the years. Beyond ‘74’s main exhibition programme and special projects, this new home is a place filled with excitement for a future of endless possibilities.
A house to create ideas and make them happen.
A house that is open to evolve with time.
A house where each floor tells a different story.
A house that reaches far beyond its walls.
A neighborhood deeply ingrained with the charm of our beloved city, Arnavutköy reveals the traces of centuries of civilizations and culture. Present since antiquity, this picturesque seaside village has boasted a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population since the 4th Century. Against the backdrop of the Bosphorus, the neighborhood sets the perfect scene for ‘74’s mission to forge cultural and artistic relations from Istanbul across the world.
Stop by, say hello!
’74 Team
THE OPENING PROGRAM
The new space offers an immersive journey, with each floor telling a unique story. Visitors will engage in a series of experiences:
Reading Room and Listening Room
Curated Reads & Records
The first floor features a segment of Random Forest: A Reading Room curated by Freeman & Lowe in collaboration with Boo-Hooray, with a collection on long-term loan. Inspired by William S. Burroughs’ The Electronic Revolution, this exhibition delves into the power of language, storytelling, and disruption. The adjacent Listening Room also presents a rotating selection from Alphan Eşeli’s vinyl collection, adding to the experience with monthly new sounds.
Hanger by Mehmet Ali Uysal
Site-Specific Installation
The second floor unveils a site-specific installation by artist Mehmet Ali Uysal in collaboration with PiArtworks. Hanger, an evolving sculpture, expands a personal journey into a reflection on form and presence. Originally exhibited in single and trio format, this work now reimagines itself into five forms, embodying the artist’s introspective exploration.
Heart by Ekin Bernay
Participatory Performance
On the third floor, Ekin Bernay’s intimate Heart performance returns, in collaboration with Performistanbul, for the first time since 2022. Through a powerful yet simple ritual, participants are invited to “leave their heart” by casting their fists in plaster. This performance bridges kalp (the physical heart) and gönül (the soul-heart), uniting participants in shared vulnerability and humanity. Heart will continue through 22-23-24 November 2024. Free participation.
Gastro-Sonic Experience
by Ralph Sason and Barış Erdemli
The top floor introduces the Gastro-Sonic Experience, a sensory journey of taste and sound crafted by Ralph Sason and Barış Erdemli. Each course is paired with custom soundscapes, enhancing and revealing hidden layers of flavor. Drawing on audio-gustatory science, the experience is rooted in Arnavutköy’s rich culinary heritage, with sounds and tastes drawn from the Bosphorus setting.
A Day in Arnavutköy by Jonas Bresnan
Photography Series
Capturing the spirit of Arnavutköy through his lens, photographer Jonas Bresnan presents A Day in Arnavutköy, a series that encapsulates the neighborhood’s vibrant daily life. His photographs paint a portrait of the area’s unique charm, its people, and the Bosphorus as it flows through the heart of Istanbul. This series invites viewers to see Arnavutköy anew.
Neighborhood-inspired Menu by Chef Rose Chalalai Singh and Mediterranean Flavors by Chef Carlo Bernardini
The program is accompanied by a curated menu by Chef Rose Chalalai Singh as well as Chef Carlo Bernardini, blending flavors that trace Arnavutköy’s heritage and Istanbul’s evolving cultural landscape.