26.03-31.07.2022
Arkas Art Center
After Istanbul, the second meeting of the collaboration project between Arkas Art Center and the Elgiz Museum will take place in Izmir. Following the opening of the exhibition “Nature, Gardens, Dreams in the Arkas Collection” at the Elgiz Museum on March 4th, the exhibition “Myths and Dreams in the Elgiz Collection” opened at the Arkas Art Center on March 26th.
Curated by Billur Tansel, “Myths and Dreams” presents new perspectives by discussing the transformation and evolution of nature and humans over time through the concepts of ecosophy and autopoiesis. The exhibition, which will run from March 26th to July 31th, 2022 at the Arkas Art Center in Izmir, was inaugurated with a reception hosted by Arkas Holding Chairman Lucien Arkas and attended by Elgiz Museum Founder Can Elgiz and representatives from the business world.
Arkas and Elgiz, who have been contributing to the cultural and artistic life of Izmir and Istanbul for many years, shared their passion for art and their thoughts on collecting in a conversation moderated by project director Müjde Unustası, Myths and Dreams exhibition curator Billur Tansel and Nature, Gardens, Dreams exhibition curator Jean Luc Maeso.
Inspired by issues such as the pandemic, the climate crisis, and the failure of renewable energy sources to reach the desired level, the exhibition “Myths and Dreams” focuses on ecological concerns. It aims to reveal new perspectives through the concepts of ecosophy and autopoïese (self-renewal) put forward by French political activist and psychoanalyst Felix Guattari.
A New Approach by French Psychoanalyst Guattari: Ecosophy
Guattari, who brings striking insights to issues that have been debated for years in the history of philosophy and brings a new intellectual dimension to the science of ecology with his ecosophy thesis, explores the sensitivities and ideological dimension of ecology in his research. In order to integrate his discoveries, he considers the concept of ecology in three dimensions. Environmental, social and mental. By combining these dimensions, he proposes the concept of ecosophy.
Focusing on the interconnection and bidirectional relationship between humans and nature, Guattari presents ecological threats such as the climate problem as a problematic with the concept of ecosophy. He deepens his research on issues such as unexpected changes in the climate and the damages of the material wastes that people use to sustain their lives. In this direction, he draws attention to the importance of the process of self-renewal, which he calls autopoïese. Diversifying the dimensions of the concept of ecosophy, Guattari emphasizes the importance of the proximity of ethics and aesthetics, art and science. According to Guattari, if a collective perception can be created with ecosophy aesthetics and solidarity can be developed, a true harmony with nature can be achieved. The concept of ecosophy goes back to the ethical understanding, principles and behaviors of the societies it brings with it.
Reflections of Ecosophy in Art in “Myths and Dreams” Exhibition
Curator Billur Tansel's Myths and Dreams exhibition from the Elgiz Collection aims to explore how artists from different cultures address the concept of ecosophy and what suggestions they make.
The first part of the exhibition, Myths, focuses on the concerns and problems pointed out by the artists, while the second part, Dreams, aims to reflect with art lovers on possible solutions to achieve the world of dreams.
Held at the Arkas Art Center between March 26 and July 31, 2022, the exhibition “Myths and Dreams”, according to the curator, featured works created by artists with different concerns, questioning issues such as the relationship between man and nature, man's behavior and way of being, his place in society, and his responsibilities towards the society and the world in which he lives.
Some of the artists whose works will be included in the selection are Alex Prager, Antonio Riello, Aslı Torcu, Azade Köker, Barbara Kruger, Bengü Karaduman, Burhan Doğançay, Cindy Sherman, Daniele Buetti, Danielle Kwaaitaal, Darren Almond, David LaChappelle, David Tremlett, Ergin Çavuşoğlu, Fausto Gilberti, Flavio Favelli, Friederike Feldmann, Guillermo Mora, Günther Förg, Hale Tenger, Hiroshi Sugito, Jack Vanarsky, Loris Cecchini, Murat Germen, Oleg Dou, Olivier Blanckart, Ömer Uluç, Özlem Günyol, Pan Yue, Paul Hodgson, Piero Gilardi, Pieter Ombregt, Robert Gligorov, Steinunn Thorarinsdottìr, Thomas Struth, Tomur Atagök, Veijko Zejak, Xavier Veilhan.
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