First questions
Today is the fifth day of the inception of the web site. In my mind, there is a lot to write about: Experiences, thoughts on art, researches and maybe project ideas. I cannot wait to spill them out. These first few days I have been sharing the site with my close friends and colleagues. Feedbacks, suggestions and questions already helped me adjust a few things.
One of the most important reactions was my friend’s comment saying “One gets the impression that halka sanat projesi is being finished and you have moved to something new”. I want to clarify that one. No, halka sanat projesi is not over. There is no obligations or obvious reasons to do so other than our own free will because it is not bond to any other authority or institution but only to ourselves, our team and our circle of friends. I believe it is as such because of its dynamic and independent structure.
Following its conception in my mind, me and my two friends have turned it into a physical space. We had two assistants who were my former students from the university. In its sixth month we have remained two directors but our assistants became four. In the years to come directors changed, lives changed, commitments changed, priorities and therefore presences changes. The halka of my mind took its current format in 2016. Along with a director responsible of strategic planning, education and supervision which is me, a coordinator responsible of spatial management, team members and interns joining us and Doğu who is never in the front but giving me power and support to grow halka in all the tangible and intangible ways. All together we have not just kept halka alive but we have also matured it.
Since the very beginning we have changed three spaces. If necessary we can do it again because I have come to an understanding through practice that there is no other obstacle for one to realize what is in one’s mind other than their intention and ideas. This includes all sorts of materialities too. Structure changes as well as the scale and dimensions because there is not a single correct version for none of them. Considering how dynamic life is, one should be open to possibilities and changes instead of holding on to anything blindly. I believe this is the way to empower oneself with a certain freedom and increase creativity.
Hence, I want to point out that Art Halicarnassus is not against or instead of halka sanat projesi. It is a way to open an intellectual and physical space to the production and possibilities we build in Bodrum, to name the roof we have upon us and therefore to make it “official”. Since I spend most of the month in Bodrum, Art Halicarnassus is the base for all sorts of my creative activities including the work I do for halka sanat projesi. It is the space that Doğu creates his works and project ideas. Whatever we produce or take action, the centre of creation and practice is Art Halicarnasus. I believe more good days are in the future.
İpek Çankaya, 10.06.2019, Bodrum
