Tersane İstanbul and Contemporary Istanbul: The New Aesthetic Lexicon and Urban Transformation

Following the transformation of Tersane-i Amire, the area housing the Camialtı and Taşkızak shipyards has gained a new cultural identity, with the Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair standing out among the visible actors of this change.

The Transformation of Historic Shipyards

Shaped by maritime and production activities for centuries, Tersane-i Amire remained idle for a long time after losing its function and stayed as a coast closed to the use of city residents. Today, hotels, shopping malls, residences, an art fair, and historical structures converge along the same route.

Economic and Cultural Capital

While traces of the industrial past are preserved, the new functions of the area are established around consumption, accommodation, and culture. History is transforming into a cultural capital that generates new economic values.

Art Fair and Commercial Activities

The Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair brings together galleries, collectors, and artists to enable artworks to enter economic circulation. Alongside its commercial function, the fair also draws attention with its public programs.

Culture Industry and Spatial Relationship

In the context of Adorno's views, it is observed that the culture industry can be experienced spatially at Tersane İstanbul. Culture is turning into a structure that operates alongside the consumption economy.

Public Art and Property

Presenting areas within private property as public art exhibition spaces brings along debates on access and regimes of use, with Jaume Plensa's sculpture 'Juana' serving as an example of this situation.

Curatorial Approaches and Metaphors

In the special projects at the fair, it is observed that easy metaphors such as 'ship', 'trace', and 'journey' are repeated to establish a relationship with the space. Cao Taiping's work 'No Man's Land' is also exhibited in a similar context.