Artist's Studio, Cercle d'Orient, Istanbul

In the context of Beyoğlu Culture Road Festival, which is held for the first time by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of  Turkey, Muse Contemporary is hosting two contemporary art exhibitions in two of Beyoğlu’s most important historical places.

The first exhibition titled “Artist”s Studio” takes place in the Cercle d’Orient building on Istiklal caddesi close to Taksim Square and consists of eight, predominantly young artists exhibiting their works in the six beautiful spacious intertwined rooms of this renovated historical building.

Curated by Ayşe Pınar Akalın, the founder of Muse Contemporary, the artists were asked to turn these rooms into their own work spaces/studios exhibiting their existing artworks and bringing their own personal belongings, decorations, music, tools and paints for creating new ones. During the 2 weeks duration of the festival, the audience will be an interactive part of the creative production process of the artists creating an unforgettable experience for anyone who visits.

Participating artists are : Canan Savaş, Hande Alpaslan, Kübra Yarar, Mehrnoush Esmaeilpour, Mehmet Sinan Kuran, Naz Sirmen, Sera İlel, Sinan Polvan

Muse Contemporary’s mission has always been to highlight historical buildings in the light of contemporary art. With this exhibition, visitors can see artworks in the making while enjoying the fascinating building.

Pınar Akalın added:
“Gustave Courbet, one of the important 19th century artists, described his work "The Painter's Studio: A Real Allegory ": "Making living art... This is my goal!”
The work of art is actually a mirror that reflects the artist's essence and self. It is the individual output of the synthesis of artist's individual and collective inputs. The aim of the “Artist Studio" exhibition/event is to experience art in its creation and interactive with the audience making them a part of the artist's creation-production process.”

Ordered by the statesman Abrahan Pasha, Cercle D’Orient building was built by the French-Ottoman architect Alexandre Vallaury in 1882 for use as a residence of foreign guests of the Empire.