IGART Art Projects Contest Concluded

The IGART Art Projects Competition, the biggest award ever given in the field of culture and arts in Turkey, has been concluded. The winner of the competition and the grand prize of 1 million TL was Fatma Betül Kotil with her work “SAYA'nın Voice”. Kotil's award was presented at a ceremony held at IGA Istanbul Airport. It was stated that the implementation of the work designed for the lower surface of the viaduct in the metro exit area, one of the most striking areas of the airport, will be completed in the summer.

Gathering the cultural and artistic activities at IGA Istanbul Airport under one roof, IGART, Painter and Academician Prof. Dr. Under the leadership of Hüsamettin Koçan, it continues to work with the participation of valuable members from all fields of architecture and art. The first of the “İGART Art Projects Contests” series, which was initiated under İGART to create more space for art in our country and to support young artists in particular, was announced in September. The competition, which was started for Turkish and foreign young artists and groups under the age of 35, participated with 221 projects. The competition did not have any subject or technical limitations other than the venue definition.

IGART Executive Board Chairman Hüsamettin Koçan, one of the IGART Executive Board members Deniz Odabaş, Prof. Dr. Gulveli Kaya, Prof. Dr. After the evaluation of the jury, which included Marcus Graf, Mehmet Ali Güveli, Murat Tabanlıoğlu, Nazlı Pektaş, as well as sculptor Seyhun Topuz and sculptor Seçkin Pirim, the finalists were first announced. While the works of artists with the pseudonyms Fatma Betül Kotil, Zafer Ali Akşit and Celaset made it to the finals; The winner of the competition was Kotil's work “The Voice of SAYA”.

“The Voice of SAYA will reach the world from Istanbul”

The winning work was announced at the ceremony held at IGA Istanbul Airport and the grand prize was presented to the owner of the work. Speaking at the ceremony, İGA Istanbul Airport CEO Kadri Samsunlu; He stated that cultural and artistic works played an important role in making Istanbul Airport a center that visitors would like to visit once again. Samsunlu: “The works that have been or will be implemented within the scope of İGART are very valuable in terms of enabling the buildings to take on the spirit and identity. We look forward to the integration of all areas planned in the competition series with works of art. After the first competition concluded today, similar studies will continue for 16 different pre-determined areas within our airport. We are happy to be able to integrate Istanbul Airport with art so much and to offer a sustainable support that opens up new spaces for artists. Making production for İGA Istanbul Airport, a global transfer center; Knowing that the work to be produced can reach visitors from different countries and cultures for many years is an extraordinary experience, especially for our young artists. I congratulate all the participants who took this courageous step and thank them for their valuable contributions. I would like to thank Fatma Betül Kotil, the owner of the work, which was chosen first and whose implementation will begin soon, for bringing this project to life with us. SAYA's Voice will reach the world from Istanbul.

“IGART: an open door to opportunities for the artist”

Chairman of the IGART Executive Board Prof. Dr. Hüsamettin Koçan drew attention to the importance of innovative projects that İGA wants to implement in the field of culture and arts. Koçan said, “It is very valuable to create a mechanism, such as the İGART Art Projects Competition, where artists can easily make suggestions and reach, thus providing opportunities for independent artists to be represented. I think that this futuristic perspective has an important place in supporting art, creating new opportunities and opening up space for more artists. IGART, which will serve as an open door that has been longed for in our country for years and that offers opportunities to the artist, has taken a privileged and scaled step in our art history and will continue this with the competitions planned for 16 different fields. I congratulate all the young artists who entered the competition, especially Fatma Betül Kotil, who entered through this door today.”

“Saya is a voice from us”

Fatma Betül Kotil, the owner of the winning work, expressed her excitement with the words xxxx and told the story of the project: “Saya is a word that is accepted especially in Balıkesir region. It is a closed area where large and small cattle are both protected and grazed and sleep at night. If necessary, families can stay here with their animals. It is spoken colloquially as "to go to Saya". When the lambs give birth, they stay in Saya. When the baby in the womb of the pregnant sheep is one hundred days old, the shepherds perform the 'Saya' ceremony. Saya is a voice from us… I am very happy that this voice will meet with thousands of visitors.”

The application fee is covered by İGA.

It has been announced that in addition to the royalty fee of 1 million TL given to the winning project owner, the implementation cost of the project will be covered by IGA Istanbul Airport.