Art activism begins at 5th World Water Forum
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Johannes Hillje
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 16, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Cultural events accompanying the 5th World Water Forum include several music, dance and visual performances to take place at the forum’s main base on the Golden Horn, the Sütlüce Center, as well as at other venues throughout the city
A cultural feast with a wide array of arts events begins in Istanbul today as the 5th World Water Forum gets underway.
Events include several music, dance and visual performances to take place at the forum’s main base of operations, the Sütlüce Culture and Congress Center on the Golden Horn, as well as at other venues throughout the city.
Aside from the discussions being carried out by experts, politicians and diplomats at the forum that runs through until March 22, the cultural program takes a different approach but with the same aim, which is raising awareness of the challenging issue of water, our source of live.
Introducing Turkey with ebru
"I really think that art is a stronger vehicle than words", Zeynep Davaz, cultural coordinator of the 5th World Water Forum told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. According to her, policies will determine our future and we cannot neglect their power, however, artistic expressions offer the key for listening and communicating between diverging interests.
Intending to introduce participants to Turkey’s rich culture, 'ebru', the traditional art of writing or painting pictures on water is a focus of many of the program’s events. Also known as paper marbling, it serves as a perfect metaphor for the heritage of Anatolian culture, Davaz said. In accordance with this artistic style, "we are all living as colour prints on the water and the earth", she added. Paintings of Turkish ebru artists such as young Istanbul-born Merve Eroğlu are on display and an ebru live performance is to be held at the Sütlüce Culture and Congress Center.
Moreover, through scientific and interactive exhibitions, the cultural program aims to raise people’s consciousness of the issue of water, its value and the need for personal responsibility. The "Water for All" exhibition held at the La Cit des Sciences et de l’industrie in Paris is held in the gallery of santralistanbul, while the "Water,H2O= Life" exhibition was created by the American Museum of National History. The latter also provides installations with live animals and is on display at the Ayazağa Campus of Istanbul Technical University. At the congress center, there will be an expo that targets children with the environmental message.
According to event coordinator, Davaz, the musical highlight of the week will be a concert by well-known Turkish pianist Fazıl Say. The performance, however, will only be open to official participants of the forum. Other concerts, such as virtuoso percussionist Burhan Öçal, held Friday at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, will be open to the general public.
Films and exhibitions
During the week of the conference, the "Water and Film Events," with more than 120 international films, will be shown. Screenings will take place at the Citizens’ House for Water and cultural institutes in Istanbul. An international jury presided by Hülya Uçansu, fomer director of the Istanbul Film Festival, will be judging the films.
Photo exhibitions in the congress hall and water activities at the Golden Horn complete the program. The latter invites visitors to get involved themselves in activities such as rowing and canoeing. "This may not sound as an artistic event but it is an art of living that has begun to flourish in the Turkish culture", Davaz said.
As the motto of the 5th World Water Forum is "Bridging Divides" these sporty activities take place along the bridge that connects the two forum venues on both sides of the Golden Horn.
The forum’s social and cultural program can be downloaded from the forums official Web site, www.worldwaterforum5.org.
Events include several music, dance and visual performances to take place at the forum’s main base of operations, the Sütlüce Culture and Congress Center on the Golden Horn, as well as at other venues throughout the city.
Aside from the discussions being carried out by experts, politicians and diplomats at the forum that runs through until March 22, the cultural program takes a different approach but with the same aim, which is raising awareness of the challenging issue of water, our source of live.
Introducing Turkey with ebru
"I really think that art is a stronger vehicle than words", Zeynep Davaz, cultural coordinator of the 5th World Water Forum told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. According to her, policies will determine our future and we cannot neglect their power, however, artistic expressions offer the key for listening and communicating between diverging interests.
Intending to introduce participants to Turkey’s rich culture, 'ebru', the traditional art of writing or painting pictures on water is a focus of many of the program’s events. Also known as paper marbling, it serves as a perfect metaphor for the heritage of Anatolian culture, Davaz said. In accordance with this artistic style, "we are all living as colour prints on the water and the earth", she added. Paintings of Turkish ebru artists such as young Istanbul-born Merve Eroğlu are on display and an ebru live performance is to be held at the Sütlüce Culture and Congress Center.
Moreover, through scientific and interactive exhibitions, the cultural program aims to raise people’s consciousness of the issue of water, its value and the need for personal responsibility. The "Water for All" exhibition held at the La Cit des Sciences et de l’industrie in Paris is held in the gallery of santralistanbul, while the "Water,H2O= Life" exhibition was created by the American Museum of National History. The latter also provides installations with live animals and is on display at the Ayazağa Campus of Istanbul Technical University. At the congress center, there will be an expo that targets children with the environmental message.
According to event coordinator, Davaz, the musical highlight of the week will be a concert by well-known Turkish pianist Fazıl Say. The performance, however, will only be open to official participants of the forum. Other concerts, such as virtuoso percussionist Burhan Öçal, held Friday at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, will be open to the general public.
Films and exhibitions
During the week of the conference, the "Water and Film Events," with more than 120 international films, will be shown. Screenings will take place at the Citizens’ House for Water and cultural institutes in Istanbul. An international jury presided by Hülya Uçansu, fomer director of the Istanbul Film Festival, will be judging the films.
Photo exhibitions in the congress hall and water activities at the Golden Horn complete the program. The latter invites visitors to get involved themselves in activities such as rowing and canoeing. "This may not sound as an artistic event but it is an art of living that has begun to flourish in the Turkish culture", Davaz said.
As the motto of the 5th World Water Forum is "Bridging Divides" these sporty activities take place along the bridge that connects the two forum venues on both sides of the Golden Horn.
The forum’s social and cultural program can be downloaded from the forums official Web site, www.worldwaterforum5.org.