Chill Out Festival

The twelve-hour Chill Out Festival will feature world-famous Senegalese songwriter and guitar player Baaba Maal, Alice Russell with the Colombian band Combo Barbaro, Quantic, Jazzanova, The Cuban Brothers, Italian lounge music pros the Montefiori Cocktail feat Amber Topaz, folk revivalist hippie trio Stealing Sheep, and local duo Mao Mak.

Babylon Soundgarden Festival

Among the natural elements of the Parkorman venue, this year’s Babylon Soundgarden Festival will feature four bands: The Parov Stelar Band, Oi Va Voi, Caravan Palace, and Büyük Ev Ablukada.

Burn Electronica Festival

This year’s Burn Electronica Festival will bring top level world class acts such as Markus Schulz, Crookers, Hercules and Love Affair, Who Made Who, W&W and Kaiserdisco who will be presenting their acts to more than 85,000 young fans ready to dance to the beats of their turntables and mixers

Pozitif Günler

Two Door Cinema Club and Metronomy will close the Pozitif Günler festival at the Küçükçiftlik Park, bringing some of the energizing indie rock sounds that have captivated audiences in some of last year’s biggest festivals, such as Coachella and Glastonbury.

Mono Festival

The Mono Festival, hosted by Pozitif Live, will have four different stages featuring Gogol Bordello,Metric, Oh Land, The Ringo Jets, and The Horrors on the first stage. Com Truise, Bok Bok, and Grup Ses Beats on the second, while the third stage will play a mix of reggae, lounge, and chillwave mix, and the last stage, will feature the famous Dinamo FM DJs.

Tuborg Goldfest

The Tuborg Goldfest will host a riveting mixture of bands that will inhabit the stage this year. Most notably, Guns N’Roses will perform the songs that made them one of the most important bands of the 1990s rock scene. The riotous female voice of Evanescence will also add another layer to the festival, which will go on for three days and feature a large selection of other bands.

Nasra Şimmes

Nasra Şimmes is a woman of contradiction. Even though she is illiterate, she has a true talent for spelling out the colors of her emotions and dreams upon the textiles she paints on. Even though she does not speak any Turkish, she has lived in the city of Mardin since she was born there in 1924, living in the same house and using the same brushes and paints her father left her with so many years ago.

Şimmes’ beautiful textile prints have been decorating Assyrian churches all over Europe, America, and the Middle East in the form of drapes, table cloths, and tapestries for the last fifty years. Now her colorful designs will be on display for the enjoyment of her audience with a special focus on the theme of women and art.

When: 6 March-6 April

Where: Koleksiyon Tarabya Merkezi, Hacıosman Bayırı, Cumhuriyet Mahallesi Bağlar Caddesi No. 35, Tarabya; P: (0212) 363 63 63

How much: Free

Women, Beautiful but Alone

In Women, Beautiful but Alone (Güzel Ama Yalnız Kadınlar), six artists will explore the complicated female identity through the filter of their own personalities. The exhibition, which features works of photography and video installation, explores the absence of women in history and their constant rejection of male-induced rationality. The artists’ work challenges viewers to question their own internalized cultural cues, while exploring femininity through a philosophical and visual mode.

Featured artists are: Arda Yalkın, Baran Tokmakoğlu, Bennu Gerede, Cen Büyükhanlı, Emine Ceylan, and Volkan Ergen.

When:7 March-1 April

Where:ALANistanbul, Asmalımescit Caddesi Atlas Apartmanı No. 5/2, Tünel; P: (0212) 252 94 53

How much: Free

Filmmor

The Filmmor Women’s Film Festival, currently in its tenth year, was established by the Filmmor Women’s Collective to increase women’s participation in cinema and other mass media, and promote films that help achieve its goal of “a life free of sexism, violence and discrimination in cinema, media and eventually in every field...”

The films in the Filmmor festival (short films and feature-length films, black & white and color, silent films and talkies, documentaries, animated films and experimental films), have been made by independent directors from every corner of the globe, and are divided into the following categories: Women’s Cinema; 100 Years of the Feminist Cinema, 10 Years of Filmmor; Retrospective: Jasmins of Tunisia; Retrospective: Marie Mandy; and Sex-ual-ity. The films include both recent offerings as well as films from earlier times, such as cinematic pioneer Alice Guy-Blaché’s prophetic 1906 film The Consequences of Feminism.

In addition to the film screenings, there will also be guest speakers, conferences, panels (on Feminist Cinema and Queer Cinema), and workshops (where attendeees will have the chance to meet prominent directors of women’s films), plus the “Golden Okra Awards” (to take place on the last day of the festival) which seek to recognize those who have made contributions to women’s cinema.

For a complete program of screenings and related events, see the Filmmor website.

When:9 March - 19 March

Where: AFM Fitaş Beyoğlu Salon 7; Fransız Kültür Merkezi; Istanbul Modern; Pera Müzesi

How much: From Ticketturk: 30 TL (festival ticket); 3 TL (individual films)

Language: Various languages with ENG subtitles (check program for details)

Andrew Barton: Final Frontier

“A dystopian future of possible religious conflict in the heavens” is the subject of sculptor Andrew Barton’s show at Nişantaşı’s SODA, Final Frontier (Son Bilinmeyen in Turkish), whose title recalls the opening credits of the television program Star Trek. Pop culture normally takes for granted the notion of humanity united against the perils of outer space; the sculptures in Final Frontier, by contrast, present the ironic spectable of space helmets custom-tailored to the three major monotheistic religions of Europe and the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Drawing on a host of imagery, from Crusader helmets to the Islamic niqab to Hasidic Jewish attire, Barton suggests that an end to humanity’s internecine quarrels is nowhere in sight.

When: March 1 – April 14

Where: SODA; Şakayık Sokak No. 37/1, Nişantaşı; P: (0212) 231 89 88

Federico Severino: Sculptures

Italian sculptor Federico Severino is well-known in his native Italy, where his artwork is on display at many churches and basilicas, including the Pantheon in Rome, and the Cathedral of his native Brescia. Severino’s work – which was briefly exhibited at Galeri Selvin’s stand at Contemporary Istanbul this past November – now comes to Galeri Selvin for a month-long show. Severino’s bronze sculptures at times imitate the conventions of Graeco-Roman art (Piccole Grazie and Silenzio), while the entwining bodies in his “Amanti nella tempesta” or “Amanti nella finestra” – or the Minotaur’s erotic pursuit of Ariadne in his “Minotauro che insegue Arianna” – recall works like Bernini’s “Apollo and Daphne,” and “Rape of Proserpina.”

When: March 20 – April 15

Where: Galeri Selvin; Dere Sokak No. 3, Arnavutköy; P: (0212) 263 74 81

Mona Hatoum: You Are Still Here

You Are Still Here, by Mona Hatoum, is the first solo show in Istanbul by this Palestinian/Lebanese artist, who works in a wide variety of media including installations, sculpture, video, photography and works on paper. The pieces in You Are Still Here (curated by Emre Baykal), as often with Hatoum, consist of everyday objects with sinister overtones, such as 1993’s “Jardin Public,” a slightly crooked chair made out of “painted wrought iron, wax, and pubic hair,” or 1996’s “Deep Throat,” in which a dinner plate doubles as an endoscope. Hatoum’s more recent, post-September 11 works are even more unsettling: a bench or bed in the shape of a cheese grater (2008’s “Daybed”), or an apparently electrified rug whose strands end in light bulbs (2008’s “Undercurrent”). This show at Beyoğlu’s Arter, representing two decades of Hatoum’s work, should not be missed.

When: March 17 – May 27

Where: Arter; İstiklal Caddesi No. 211, Beyoğlu; P: (0212) 243 37 67

Ebru Özseçen: True Love Soul Mate

Munich-based Turkish artist Ebru Özseçen’s exhibition Gerçek Aşk Gönül Eşi (True Love Soul Mate), at Akaretler’s Rampa, contains works from three periods. The earliest, 1997’s Toplar (Balls), consists of a series of balls and pendants hanging from a chandelier, and was photographed at a London antiques store; this motif would later figure in other works by Özseçen, such as Şeker Avize (Sugar Chandelier), which was exhibited at the 6th Istanbul Biennial in 1999. Kısmet (Destiny), created in the following decade, was likewise inspired by another of the artist’s finds, this time in an antiques store in Amsterdam: an ivory lantern filled with beans, from which a French countess allegedly would select one every night as a way of choosing her lover. Özşecen’s own work consists of a keyhole-shaped piece of ivory filled with a bull’s testicle. Finally, 2011’s Gerçek Aşk Gönül Eşi (True Love Soul Mate), from which the show as a whole takes its name, is made up of more than a hundred pieces of hand-crafted glass, made with the assistance of the renowned glass studios Mayer of Munich and Glasshütte Lamberts.

Explaining the title of the exhibition, Özseçen has said, “the concept of ‘true love, soul mate’ employed in the title should be sought, not in the realm of romantic love, but in the friendship and companionship alluded to by the craftsman’s tender treatment of the objects to which he lovingly devotes himself.”

When: March 2 – April 7

Where: Rampa; Şair Nedim Caddesi No:21A, Akaretler; P: (0212) 327 08 00

When: December 20 – February 19

Where: Rahmi Koç Museum;Hasköy Caddesi No 27 Sütlüce; P:(0212) 369 66 00

How much: From the venue: 12.50 TL; 6 TL (students).

Sultans, Merchants, Painters: An Overview of Ottoman-Dutch Relations in its 400th Year

Sultans, Merchants, Painters: An Overview of Ottoman-Dutch Relations in its 400th Year, organized in collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum, will examine the political, social, and cultural ties between Turkey and the Netherlands, with paintings and other artworks depicting both Istanbul and Amsterdam at many stages of their respective histories, as well as important historical figures from both places. The exhibition will include a reconstruction of the Levandse Handel (Levant Trade) chamber in Amsterdam – once the focal point of much of the Netherlands’ trade with the Ottoman Empire – with many of the paintings and charts (on loan from the Rijksmuseum) that were displayed there. After running at the Pera Museum, Sultans, Merchants, Painters will travel to the Amsterdam Museum later in the year.

When: January 21 – April 1

Where: Pera Müzesi (Pera Museum)

How much: From the venue: 10 TL; 5 TL (students).

Willem Harbers: Labogrigneur and Satellite Works

The exhibit entitled Labogrigneur ve Uydu İşleri, by Dutch artist Willem Harbers, is currently running at Galeri Zilberman with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands. The miniature sculptures in the exhibit, made out of various materials like steel, plastic, and marble, all vaguely resemble scientific instruments or apparatuses of some kind, yet are just on this side of abstraction and non-functionality, underscoring the fact that they have been made for observation rather than actual use. Of these ponderous, somewhat clumsy-looking, yet elegant works, Harbers has stated: “A sculptor is by definition slow, the material with which they work is slow, and the beholder can only enjoy the work if he or she takes their time, stays with the sculpture, walks around it, slows their step, views the the work from all angles, or otherwise: becomes slow themselves.”

When: January 6 - 28

Where: Galeri Zilberman

How much: Free

La La La Human Steps: A Selection from the Boijmans Van Beuningen Collection

Istanbul Modern will be hosting a selection of artworks from the Rotterdam’s Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, renowned for its extensive collection of art ranging from the 16th century to the present day. The exhibition, curated by Sjarel Ex (the director of the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum), will be in three parts. “Encounters in History” is comprised of artworks depicting commercial, diplomatic, and military encounters between the West and the Ottoman Empire, in addition to works like 16th century painter Joachim Patinir’s stunning Bosch-like canvas “The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.” “Personal Encounters” contains works, chiefly in the medium of film, dealing with comic as well as serious aspects of contemporary life as experienced by individuals, with contributions by Finland’s Salla Tykka, South Africa’s Zwelethu Mthethwa, Bruce Nauman and Vito Acconci from the USA, and others. Finally, “Public Encounters” deals with political and other conflicts in today’s world, such as the recent war in the former Yugoslavia (by Albanian Anri Sala and Bosnian-Herzegovinian Šejla Kamerić); the situation of intellectuals in China (by Yang Fudong); gang violence (by Frenchman Cyprien Gaillard), and more. There will also be a video of a performance by the Canadian dance company La La La Human Steps, from which the exhibition takes its name.

When: February 17 – May 5

Where: İstanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi (Istanbul Museum of Modern Art)

How much: From the venue: 14 TL; 7 TL (concession).

İstanbul Eindhoven – SALTVanabbe: Post ‘89

The exhibition İstanbul Eindhoven – SALTVanabbe is a joint venture between SALT and the Van Abbemuseum in the Netherlands. The first part of the exhibition will focus on artwork produced in the post-Cold War years following 1989; it will be followed later this year by a second installment focusing on art in the period from 1968 to 1989, and then a third dealing with pre-1968 art. All artworks in İstanbul Eindhoven – SALTVanabbe: Post ’89, with the exception of those by local Turkish artists İnci Eviner, Leyla Gediz, Özlem Günyol & Mustafa Kunt, and Cevdet Erek, are on loan from the Van Abbemuseum collection. Highlights of this exhibition, comprising works in a wide range of different media and techniques, include the photographic portraits by Rineke Dijkstra and portraits in painting by Leyla Gediz; Allen Ruppersberg’s fluorescent Singing Posters (as well as his textual art project concerning Allen Ginsberg’s Howl); the eery multiple-exposure images of Douglas Gordon; and much more.

When: January 27 – April 6

Where: SALT Beyoğlu, SALT Galata

How much: Free

Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Painting

2012 is also the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Sakıp Sabancı Museum to the public. To mark this double anniversary, the museum will be hosting a major art exhibition entitled Rembrandt ve Hollanda Resminin Altın Çağı (Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Painting). Focusing on the works of 17th century masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen, the exhibition will contain paintings as well as sculptures; the majority of the pieces in the exhibition will be on loan from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, but there will also be works from other museums and private collections in the Netherlands and the United States. In the words of Dr. Nazan Ölçer, the director of the Sabancı Museum, “Holland is a nation which made its first trial of democracy and a republican system of governmentin the 17th century. During this period Holland became extremely wealthy through trade, and the reforms brought about by that trade benefited artists. Incredible family and group portraits, nature paintings, and landscape paintings were created. Most of these were hidden away in homes, or adorned the walls of city councils. Today, these are the chief resource of Holland’s major museums.”

When: February 22 – June 10

Where: Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi

How much: From the venue: 10 TL; 7 TL (groups of 10 or more); 3 TL (students and teachers); free (children 14 and under, senior citizens, etc.)

Julian Rosefeldt: Asylum

German artist Julian Rosefeldt’s short film entitled Asylum deals in often tongue-in-cheek fashion with the issue of guest workers in Germany, and the treatment to which they are subjected by society at large, in this comic, sometimes absurd portrait of “the losers and the left-out individuals of modern societies.”

When: January 5 – 27

Where: Dirimart Garibaldi

How much: Free

Daniel Canogar: River of History

Spanish artist Daniel Canogar’s exhibit at Borusan Contemporary (entitled Tarih Nehri in Turkish), consists of five multi-media installations focusing on the theme of water, in particular its use and over-use in today’s resource-scarce world. River of History is curated by Kathleen Forde, Curator for Time-Based Arts at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) in Troy, NY.

When: January 14 – April 15

Where: Borusan Contemporary

How much: 10 TL; 7 TL (groups of 10 or more); 5 TL (discount)

Jose Maria Mellado: Enigmatic Landscapes

Spanish photographer Jose Maria Mellado’s Enigmatic Landscapes, at Elipsis Gallery in Tophane, is his first solo show in Turkey. The color photographs in this appropriately-titled exhibit are a breathtaking collection of natural vistas in which humanity – or whatever scant traces exist of human habitation – is dwarfed by Mellado’s towering hillsides, deep ravines, and vertiginous plateaus. Even in a photograph of an ostensibly ordinary gas station / convenience store, the lowering clouds above are the photographer’s true focus.

When: January 12 – March 1

Where: Elipsis Gallery

How much: Free

Michael Snow: Solo Snow

The multi-media exhibition at Akbank Sanat punningly entitled Solo Snow, by versatile Canadian artist and avant-garde filmmaker Michael Snow, is co-curated by Ali Akay and Louise Déry, with the collaboration of Akbank Sanat and Le Fresnoy (Studio national des arts contemporains), one of the most prestigious art spaces in France. Over the course of his long and productive career, Snow has had his art exhibited at venues like the Sidney, São Paulo, and Whitney Biennials; his work, which typically performs experiments with form and temporality, has been described as “illusionistic.”

When: January 18 – February 25

Where: Akbank Sanat

How much: Free

Matthieu Paley: Those Forgotten on the Roof of the World

Photographer Matthieu Paley, known for his work for magazines like Géo and National Geographic, takes a voyage to the Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan – known as the “Roof of the World” – in this exhibit at the Fransız Kültür Merkezi. Paley’s wide-angle lens produces stunning shots of the Little Pamir landscape, and his portraits of the Kyrgyz tribespeople who inhabit this inhospitable region are no less impressive. The pieces in this exhibit form the basis of what will become a book of photographs to be published in November of this year.

When: February 22 – March 31

Where: Fransız Kültür Merkezi

How much: Free

Emre Tandırlı: Sürpriztepe

The cityscape of Istanbul is famous both for the beauty of its panoramic views, and for the eyesore created by massive amounts of shabby prefabricated housing. Turkish painter Emre Tandırlı has managed to reconcile these two apparently contradictory aspects of Istanbul’s appearance in startling fashion, through a series of paintings whimsically entitled Sürpriztepe (Surprise Hill). The title of the exhibit, currently running at the Mabeyn Gallery in Beşiktaş, refers to the common practice of using the suffix –tepe in the names of Istanbul neighborhoods (many of which are located on hills).In Sürpriztepe, Tandırlı takes full advantage of the bright colors of Istanbul’s apartment buildings, which – in his meticulous compositions – seem to blend in perfectly with that of the sky at sunset, after dark, or on an overcast or wintery day.

Tandırlı has done for Istanbul’s housing blocks what the Impressionists, in their day, did for train stations and other seemingly unsightly features of modern life, conjuring up an unexpected beauty from them for all of us to appreciate. Sürpriztepe, true to its name, will fascinate and surprise you.

When: Until December 31

Where: Mabeyn Gallery

How much: Free

Suretin Sireti

Suretin Sireti, the Turkish title of the Pera Museum’s exhibition entitled Beyond the Apparent in English, refers to the surface appearance (suret) of existence, as well to the more intangible reality (siret) that lies beyond it. Curated by Zeynep Yasa Yaman, the exhibit brings to the public the modern/contemporary Turkish art collection of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, for the first time since the 1994 exhibition 1950-2000, which was exhibited at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Ankara. The current exhibition, taking up two floors of the Pera Museum’s gallery space, includes 60 works by 36 different artists born between 1905 and 1960, thus (like the previous exhibition in Ankara) comprising a retrospective of work by Turkish artists in the latter half of the 20th century. Among the artists represented in this show are Fikret Muallâ, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, Zeki Faik İzer, Tiraje Dikmen, Yüksel Arslan, Komet, Ömer Uluç, Adnan Çoker, Erol Akyavaş and Burhan Doğançay. The works on display, with their great diversity of subject matter and technique, recall those of such painters as Cézanne, Matisse, Kokoschka, and many more. Do not miss this exhibition, a veritable history of post-WWII Turkish art.

When: Until December 31

Where: Pera Müzesi

How much: 10 TL; 7 TL (groups of 10 or more); 5 TL (concession)

Michael Kenna: Magnum Silentium

Magnum Silentium, Latin for “a great silence,” is the name of the current exhibit at Elipsis Gallery by English photographer Michael Kenna. The stunning black-and-white photographs in the exhibit have been taken in such far-flung locales as Venice, Rio de Janeiro, the Sea of Okhotsk off Japan, the Pyramids of Giza, and China’s Anhui Province. With nary a human being in sight, darkness, clouds, mist, snow-clad hills, and silence combine to create the atmosphere of mystery and sublimity that is Kenna’s trademark. An exhibit not to be missed.

When: Until December 30

Where: Elipsis Gallery

How much: Free

Ceren Oykut: Mayom İçimde

Ceren Oykut’s new exhibit at Artsümer, Mayom İçimde, is a series of works in marker and ink brush depicting city scenes from Istanbul: stone, brick, concrete...Oykut creates Escher-like landscapes in which structures viewed from beneath – “from sea level” – are piled on top of each other in defiance of all physical laws. The title of Oykut’s exhibit, which translates approximately to “ready to go,” literally “with my bathing suit on beneath my clothes,” is a reference to the artist’s frustration at walking on the shores of the Bosphorus with a bathing suit and not being able to swim in this famous waterway. While the cityscape of early 21st century Istanbul may often be overwhelming, it is never boring – and, as always, it is a plentiful source of inspiration for artists like Oykut.

When: Until December 31

Where: artSümer

How much: Free

Sophie Calle: The Last Time, The First Time

The world-famous French artist Sophie Calle, born in 1953, is known for her series of provocative art projects, which have caused her to shadow complete strangers, to have herself shadowed, and to make telephone calls to names in an address book found on the street. Never one to fear embarking on a journey into others’ private worlds, Calle now enters the world of the (literally or metaphorically) blind with her new exhibit at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum entitled Son Kez, İlk Kez (The Last Time, The First Time.)

In the first part of the exhibit, called “The Last Time,” Calle asks 13 people who have lost their sight to describe the last thing they saw; Calle then presents photos both of her subjects and of the things they have described. Calle was apparently inspired to create this project by a well-known myth concerning the foundation of Istanbul, according to which the Greek colony of Chalcedon (now Kadıköy) was once named the “city of the blind” due to its colonists’ failure to settle on the more fertile site of Byzantium across the Bosphorus.

The second part of the exhibit is a video installation entitled “The First Time.” In this section Calle depicts the first encounter with the sea of Istanbulites who – as unimaginable as it may sound – have never seen it before in their lives. These touching video portraits of immigrants from Central and Eastern Anatolia who live cut off from the natural beauty of their new home perfectly complement Calle’s portraits of the visually disabled in part one.

For a full-length review of this exhibit, click here.

When: Until December 31

Where: Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi

How much: 10 TL; 7 TL (groups of 10 or more); 3 TL (students and teachers); free (children 14 and under, senior citizens, etc.)

Foto Galatasaray

The exhibit entitledFoto Galatasarayconsists of selections from the photographs of the late Maryam Şahinyan, who ran a photography studio in the Galatasaray district of Beyoğlu from 1935 to 1985. Şahinyan’s studio was patronized by tens of thousands of people during this fifty-year period, a period which saw numerous important political and social developments in Turkey, from WWII to the events of 1955 to the Cyprus crisis. The black-and-white photographs in this exhibition – chosen and restored under the direction of Tayfun Serttaş from roughly 200,000 negatives belonging to the studio – are thus a visual record of five decades of Istanbul life, and especially of the city’s Armenian community of which Şahinyan was a part. Photography aficionados will not want to miss this exhibit, opening at SALT’s new Galata space.

When:November 22 – January 22

How much:Free

Geçmişe Hücum: Osmanlı İmparatorluğu’nda Arkeolojinin Öyküsü, 1753-1914

The nascent interest in archaeology in the late Ottoman Empire is one that will be familiar to those who have seen the Pera Museum’s recent exhibit entitledOsman Hamdi Bey and the Americans. Now, SALT’s newly opened space in Galata features an exhibit entitledScramble for the Past: A Story of Archaeology in the Ottoman Empire, 1753 – 1914, organized by Zainab Bahrani, Zeynep Çelik, and Edhem Eldem. On display in this exhibit will be documents, books, photographs, and maps by both Western and Ottoman explorers, as well as archaeological findings from numerous parts of the former Ottoman Empire: Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. The support structure for the exhibit is by architect Celine Condorelli (with graphic design by Aslı Altay), and it contains additional installations by artists Mark Dion and Michael Rakowitz.

When:November 22 – March 11

How much:Free

Peçesi Açılan Modernizm / Tarihleri Örgülemek

In her exhibit entitled Modernity Unveiled / Interweaving Histories, artist Gülsün Karamustafa focuses on the work of Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, who immigrated to Istanbul during WWII from Nazi-occupied Austria (by way of Stalin’s USSR.) Schütte-Lihotzky was responsible for designing the plans of grade schools for Turkey’s Village Institutes, a program intended to further the economic development of Anatolian villagers during Depression-era Turkey. The exhibit consists of black-and-white photographs of projects undertaken in Anatolian villages during this period, displayed within wooden structures built by Karamustafa which themselves resemble buildings in progress. Modernity Unveiled / Interweaving Histories is a fascinating look at an important period in the early history of the Turkish Republic.

When: November 22 – January 22

How much: Free

The Seventh Istanbul Animation Festival is an event eagerly awaited by animation buffs, consisting of the best short and feature-length animated films of the past two years. This year, the festival will run at the Pera Museum between the 22nd and 27th of November. Among the feature-length films in the festival that have garnered critical attention are the Korean animated filmGreen Days; the filmSky Songby Estonian Mati Kütt; and this year’s Polish filmGeorge the Hedgehog.

The festival’sprogramalso contains 28 short animated films which will be competing for the prize of “Best Animated Short Turkish Film.” The films are in the following categories: Seas and Sailors, Insatiable Humanity, Adaptations, Animal Kingdom, Everything Changes, Dark Tales, We don’t Like War, Stop Motion Beauties, Those Animator Turks, On the Roads, Like a Painting, For Kids, 3rd Dimension’s Trophies, Abstract, Documentaries, Man of Science, Was That Dream?, Black White, Alone’s Club, Through the Eyes of Children, Cheerful Drawings, Ordinary Lives, and About Food.

Parents should note that although all the films in the festival are animated, not all are intended for children; the category entitled “For Kids” consists of short films for preteen audiences.

Tickets can be purchased at the Pera Museum. There will also be a series of free workshops on animated filmmaking: check back on the Istanbul Animation Festival’swebsitefor more information.

Where:Pera Museum; Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 141; P:(0212) 334 99 00

When:November 22 – 27, 11:00 AM

How much:10 TL (Feature-length films); 5 TL (Discount); 5 TL (Short films); Free (Workshops)

Language:Various languages with TR and ENG subtitles

The Biennial, which has been extensively covered on our website, ends this weekend, so if you haven’t been yet, hurry up and see it. Below are three more recommended exhibitions which are ending soon, courtesy of The Guide’s editorial staff.

Mehmet Kutlu / Yeni Hikayeler

The concepts of intertwined paths and rebirth will never fall out of favor in the creative world, whether it in paintings, essays or novels. The world of ceramics, however, is a very fragile and rigid medium that does not easily lend itself to such themes and symbols. Mehmet Kutlu reverses this trend in his exhibition titled Yeni Hikayeler, on display at the prestigious Rezan Has Museum.

The exhibition is an important mixture of outside influence and personal creativity. Kutlu’s work has been shaped by well-known Turkish figures like Yaşar Kemal, Genco Erkal, Gülriz Sururi, Türkan Şoray, Zülfü Livaneli, Sezen Aksu, Fazıl Say, Ayla Argan and Ferzan Özpetek. Gaining its primary inspiration from the birth of caterpillars from cocoons, the display aims to influence the developing, evolving and ultimately reborn nature of artists in the contemporary world. Yeni Hikayeler is an exhibit no one can afford to miss out on, whether they are familiar with Turkish pop culture or not.

Enjoy this interesting exhibition of ceramic/mosaic art at the beautiful Rezan Has Museum, and gain a new perspective on the lives of artists in the limelight!

When: Until November 20

Where: Rezan Has Müzesi (Rezan Has Museum)

How Much: 3 TL; 1 TL (concession)

Archè

The Belgian artist Johan Tahon will have his exhibit Archè on display at the Tiled Kiosk in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. The exhibit -- organized by the museum as well as by Galeri Artist's Özil Collection -- will be displayed as part of the 12th Istanbul Biennial. The venue for the exhibit -- the Tiled Kiosk built by Mehmed II as part of Topkapı Palace -- is an appropriate one, as Tahon lives and works for part of the year in İznik, a historical center of tile production in Turkey.

Tahon's ceramic sculptures stand in strong contrast to the order and harmony of the İznik tilework among which they are placed. Human busts dripping with paint as though with blood, with looks of agony upon their faces, with gaping mouths and empty eye sockets, Tahon's creations seems to belong more to the world of Greek Tragedy than to that of Ottoman decorative arts. The title of Tahon's exhibit, Archè, means "beginning" in Greek; the works displayed therein suggest, on the contrary, the end times of the human race.

Anyone attending the 12th Istanbul Biennial should be sure to take a detour to Sultanahmet to view this outstanding exhibit in the Archaeology Museum.

When: Until November 13

Where: Çinili Köşk

How much: 10 TL (Museum admission)

Cityscale

Munich and Istanbul are two cities that differ greatly in geography, population, infrastructure, history, and culture. Nonethless, these two globalizing cities, linked through generations of cultural interaction, form the basis of a fascinating exhibit entitled Cityscale. The exhibit, accompanied by public installations, videos, presentations and panels, attempts to explore the differences between these two cities through works of art focusing on their exteriors.

The participating artists -- German and Turkish, working in a variety of different media and different disciplines -- include Gülçin Aksoy, Atıl Kunst, Annegret Bleisteiner, Klaus vom Bruch, Carlotta Brunetti, Deniz Gül, Julia Lohmann, Suat Ögüt, Hülya Özdemir, Susanne Pittroff, Michaela Rotsch, Ferhat Satıcı, Robert Stumpf and Yeni Anıt. Don't miss out on this fascinating and highly relevant exhibit.

When: Until November 13

Where: Siemens Sanat

How much: Free

A new exhibition entitledOsman Hamdi Bey and the Americans: Archaeology, Diplomacy, and Art, curated by Professors Renata Holod and Robert Ousterhout of the University of Pennsylvania, is opening at the Pera Museum. The exhibition is about the painter, archaeologist, and museum curator Osman Hamdi Bey (the founder of Istanbul’s Archaeology Museums), the American photographer/archaeologist John Henry Haynes, and the German Assyriologist and archaeologist Hermann Vollrath Hilprecht.

All three were eminent figures in 19th century archaeology, Hilprecht as one of the excavators of Nippur in present-day Iraq (then under Ottoman control), Haynes as a photographer of the excavations of Assos, and Osman Hamdi Bey as an archaeologist at numerous sites all over the Ottoman Empire. Osman Hamdi Bey was, in addition, a painter of no small talent, who studied in Paris with Gérôme and Boulanger. As part of the exhibition, you will be able to see Osman Hamdi Bey’s own paintings, which fascinatingly mirror the style of the Western Orientalist painters of whose milieu he was a part.

The Pera Museum has long been known for its superb exhibitions on the subject of Western Orientalism. This is an excellent addition to those previous exhibitions, and anyone with an interest in archaeology and 19th century painting should not pass it up.

Where: Pera Museum;Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 141 Tepebaşı; P:(0212) 334 99 00

When:Until January 8

How much:10 TL; 7 TL (groups of 10 or more); 5 TL (concession)

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Osman Hamdi Bey and the Americans at the Pera Museum; by Will Washburn

The musical – which originally premiered in 1978, and has had over 1600 performanaces since then – takes you back to Harlem in the 20s, the golden age of jazz and swing music, and the age of Fats Waller. Audiences atHarlem Swingwill be able to hear such Waller classics as “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” and “Squeeze Me.”

Harlem Swingis overflowing with the spirit of Waller’s music as well as the performer’s lust for life. Fans of classic jazz and swing music will not want to miss it.

Where:Tim Show Center,Maslak Show Center Büyükdere Caddesi Derbent Mevkii;P:(0212) 286 66 86

When:October 14, 9:00 PM; October 15, 3:00 PM, 9:00 PM; October 16, 3:00 PM

How much:150 TL; 125 TL; 100 TL; 80 TL

Oktoberfest is a beer festival identified with its origin city Munich. It’s been celebrated in Germany and in many other countries all around the world with great enthusiasm.

The hometown of the festival hosted the well-renowned event with the participation of 6 million people during seventeen days from 17^th of September to the 3^rd of October this year. But don’t worry if you could not go to Bavaria to celebrate it! Oktoberfest is coming to Istanbul for the first time. All beer-lovers and the ones who carry the festival spirit gather at Parkorman on 9^th of October to celebrate the first Oktoberfest in Istanbul!

The festival has kept all the details and authenticity of the Bavarian Oktoberfest. During the festival, you will be able to find Bavarian foods and beverages and dance to Fiddler’s Green, Can Bonomo, Multitap, and German Folk Music Band.

Oktoberfest Istanbul, organized by KafePi Group and Pepeevents, aims to bring thousands of people from different countries and cultures together in a fun, socio-cultural environment. The festival will also mark the first time that you will be able to find all the beers sold in Turkey in one place.

A quick lesson in history:

Oktoberfest’s tradition is based upon the marriage ceremony of Crown Prince Ludwig who later became King Ludwig I. When Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12^th October 1810, the citizens were invited to celebrate the royal wedding at the festivity fields in front of the city gates. At the end of the celebrations, horse races were arranged. Later, it was decided that horse races would be held on an annual basis and this yearly festivity created the backbone of the Oktoberfest tradition. For many years, the horse races were accompanied by lots of eating and beer-drinking, but later on the tradition of holding horse races died and the modern understanding of Oktoberfest was born.

When: October 9, 12.00 PM

Where: Parkorman

How much: 25 TL; 15 TL (student)

Where: Atlas Sineması, Beyoğlu Sineması, Citylife Sinema at City’s Shopping Mall, Cinebonus at Maçka G-Mall

How much: 14 TL; 8 TL (concession); 5 TL (weekday morning/afternoon screenings)

At its 10th anniversary, Filmekimi is returning to the screens bigger, stronger, and moresatisfying than ever. Due to the festival's growing popularity and the audience's increasing demands, this year the festival will also be held inİzmir, Bursa, Konya, Trabzon,and Diyarbakır in addition to Istanbul. The estimated number of movie-goers is expected to exceed last year’s record of 43,000.

If you plan on being one of the thousands of movie-goers this month, read The Guide Istanbul’s picks, get your tickets from www.biletix.comor ticket booths at the participating theaters, and hit the movie theaters.

The Oscars are Calling

The Artistis, without a doubt, the most original movie of the year.It is a black-and-white silent movie that gives the audiencea taste of the Hollywood movie industry in the1930s by showing the fall of George Valentin, a famous silent movie star, after the introduction of sound film.The movie is directed so brilliantly by Michel Hazanaviciusthat although it is silent, it is far away from being dull. Jean Dujardin’s flawless performance portraying the emotions of George Valentin, who loses all his fame and glory, brought him the Best Actor Award in Cannes Film Festival.There is no surprise that TheArtist is a strong Oscar contender in various categories, including Best Picture and Best Actor. TheArtist is a funny, romantic and, at the same, heartbreaking film that guarantees an enjoyable experience with its flawless acting, directing, and scenario.

Director:Michel Hazanavicius

Lead Actors: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell

Awards:Cannes Film Festival - Winner of Best Actor (Jean Dujardin) and nominated for Palme d’Or (Michel Hazanavicius)

Language:Silent with English/French intertitles

Genre:Comedy, Romance, Drama

WeNeed to Talk About Kevinis about the suffering of a mother after her son goes on a high-school killing spree. The queen of festival films Tilda Swinton does an amazing job as Eva, the mother who is trying to deal with the grief and guilt of her son’s (Kevin) actions. Eva can’t understand why her son would commit such an evil crime and begins to write to her estranged husband Franklin (John C. Reilly) who always used to side with Kevin. In 2007, Swinton won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress with her performance in Michael Clayton. After her dazzling performance in WeNeed to Talk About Kevin, she is expected to be a strong nominee for the Oscars in Best Actress category. Ezra Miller, who plays the troubled son, might also be among the nominees for Best Supporting Actor.The director Lynne Ramsay also does a great job in reflecting the change in the maincharacters' personalitiesin chronological order and telling such a dramatic story without overwhelming the audience.

Director:Lynne Ramsay

Lead Actors:Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

Awards:Cannes Film Festival - Official Selection and nominated for Palme d’Or (Lynne Ramsay)

Language:English

Genre:Drama, Thriller

This Must Be the Placeshows another side of Sean Penn that the audience has not seen before. As one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood,Sean Penn’s past roles included a homosexual politician, a mentally retardedfather, a gangster lawyer, and a convicted murderer on death row. In This Must Be the Place, he plays Cheyenne—a withdrawnex-rock-star in his fifties. Although Cheyenne is retired from the music business, he still dresses and puts on make up like a rock star looking very similar to Robert Smith from The Cure and acting a lot like Ozzy Osbourne as he shuffles his feet while walkingand mumbles while talking. His life suddenly changes when he receives the news that his estranged father is about to die. He travels all the way from Ireland to New York on a ship but unfortunately he doesn’t make it on time. Feeling sorry that he could not reconcile with his father, Cheyenne decides to pursue his father's unfinished business and track down the former Nazi officer who tortured him in Auschwitz. He travels across America to find him but his quest transforms into a journey of reconciliation and self discovery.There is no need to say that Sean Penn, as always, creates wonders with this performance as a Nazi hunting ex-rock-star. He is definitely a strong contender in the Oscar race for Best Actor.

Director: Paolo Sorrentino

Lead Actors:Sean Penn, Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch

Awards:Cannes Film Festival – Winner of Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and nominated for Palme d’Or (Paolo Sorrentino)

Language:English

Genre:Crime, Drama, Thriller

A Dangerous Methodisone of the most intriguing movies of the year as it revolves around the relationship between the founder of analytical psychology Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender), his mentor and the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen),and Jung’s patient/lover Sabina Spielrein (Kiera Knightley). Sabina is a hysteric sadomasochistic Russian patient whose twisted relationship with Jung causes friction between Jung and Freud. As the movie progresses, we witness the birth of psychoanalysis through the intellectual dialogues between these three characters.Although both Mortensen and Fassbender are really dominant actors,thestrongest performance in the movie is by Keira Knightley. Although some critics claim that Knightley went over the top with this performance and exaggerated the scenes where shehas hysteric episodes, others believe that her performance will carry her to the Oscars.

Director:David Cronenberg

Lead Actors:Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Vincent Cassel

Awards: Venice Film Festival – Nominated for Golden Lion (David Cronenberg)

Language:English

Genre:Drama, Thriller

Doomsday Scenarios

In Filmekimi2011, the audience will come across two kinds of threats against humanity.The first one is the approaching planet Melancholia that is about to crash into Earth and bring all kinds of life to an end. In Melancholia, Lars von Trier prepares the audience for the end of the world through the eyes of Justine (Kirsten Dunst), a manic depressive woman who has just been left at the altar, and her long-suffering sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), accompanied with breathtaking images and sounds. The movie sets itself aside from other end-of-the-world films because instead of showing chaos and panic all over the world, Lars Von Trier only focuses on these two main characters.

Director:Lars von Trier

Lead Actors:KirstenDunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, John Hurt, Alexander Skarsgard

Awards:Cannes Film Festival - Winner of Best Actress (Kirsten Dunst) and nominated for Palme d’Or (Lars von Trier)

Language:English

Genre:Drama, Sci-Fi

The second threat against humanity isa deadly virus, which spreads very quickly and easily,in Steven Soderbergh's Contagion. The cast of the movie is full of AcademyAward- winners and nominees, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, andElliot Gould. The film deals with thechaotic environment of panic and loss of social order through the behaviors of the different characters who are doctors, representatives from Homeland Security, journalists, epidemiologists, and sick people.This is a very realistic film by Academy Award-winning American director Steven Soderberghabout public health and scientific response to a worldwide epidemic.

Director:Steven Soderbergh

Lead Actors:Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Gould

Language:English

Genre:Drama, Sci Fi, Thriller

Unlimited Sexual Fantasies

ShameandSleeping Beauty are two movies that are based on sexual fantasies. In Shame, director Steven McQueen and actorMichael Fassbender team up one more time, after Hunger, in order to portray a very lonely man named Brandon who has a secretworld of excessive sex, pornography, and masturbation. Although he thinks about sex all the time, he frequently feels shame and regret for leading such an artificial life. His life turns upside down when his sister Sissy (Carey Mulligan) comes to live with him temporarily. He feels like his darkest and deepest desires will be exposed and he will be perceived as a pervert by his sister.

Michael Fassbender, who is not afraid to show every inch of his body, does a great job in portraying Brandon. The director Steve McQueen uses lots of nudity and sexual scenes to reflect the inner world of Brandon and make the movie as realistic as possible. (The movie will have a special screening on 14th of October at midnight at Atlas Sineması.)

Director:Steve McQueen

Lead Actors:Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan,

Awards:Venice Film Festival – 'CinemAvvenire' Award for Best Film, FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film, Volpi Cup for Best Actor (Michael Fassbender), Golden Lion Nomination for Steve McQueen

Language:English

Genre:Drama

In Sleeping Beauty the audience witnesses a sexual nightmare wherethe young university student Lucy (Emily Browning) getsdrawn into a mysterious world of unspoken desires. According to some critics, the movie is reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut with rich people having deranged sex parties without any consequences.In the movie, Emily Browning shows a controlledand believable performance as Lucywith her childish and innocent looks. Also, director Julia Leigh creates a dreamlike atmosphere with soft lights and bold primary colors.

Director:Julia Leigh

Lead Actors:Emily Browning, Rachael Blake, and Ewen Leslie

Awards:Cannes Film Festival - Nominated for Palme d'Or (Julia Leigh)

Language:English

Genre:Drama

Young Talents

In the French production Kid with aBike, the audience witnesses the struggles of an eleven-year-old boy named Cyril (Thomas Doret), who is abandoned by his father and left at an orphanage. Cyril frequently escapes from the orphanage to search for his father and his bike that got lost. One day, Cyril meets a hairdresser named Samantha (Cécile De France) who helps him find and get his bike back. After a while, Cyril starts to stay with Samantha on the weekends. Although she is not a qualified childcare provider, she tries really hard to lead the confused and rebellious boy in the right direction and be the mother he never had. Growing up in a tough town with bad influences, will Cyril hold on to the hope that Samantha gives him or will he keep on walking on the dark path he's been walking since his father abandoned him?

Directors:Jean-PierreDardenne and Luc Dardenne

Lead Actors:Thomas Doret, Cécile De France and Jérémie Renier

Awards:Cannes Film Festival - Winner of Grand Prize of the Jury for Best Film and nominated for Palm d’Or (Jean-PierreDardenne ), Flaiano Film Festival - Winner of Best Director

Language:French

Genre:Drama

Another French production that is based on childhood dramas is Tomboy, which is about a ten-year-old girl who moves into a new neighborhood where she introduces herself as a boy. Zoé Héran, as thetomboy Laure, is very convincing both as a girl and a boy, and fun to watch. The scenes withLaure's sister Malonn Lévana cheers up the movie and entertains the audience. Fans of such coming-of-age tales as Stand by Me andVillage of Dreams will enjoy this film.

Director:Céline Sciamma

Lead Actors:Zoé Héran, Malonn Lévana, and Jeanne Disson

Awards:Berlin International Film Festival – Winner of Teddy Jury Award (Céline Sciamma), Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Winner of Jury Prize for Best Feature, San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival – Winner of Audience Award for Best Feature, Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Winner of Best Feature Film

Language: French

Genre:Drama

Middle Eastern Tunes

The Devil's Doubleis the story Latif Yahia, who is an Iraqi soldier forced to act as the body double of Saddam Hussein’s son Uday Hussein. The world of Hussein is filled with rape, torture, murder, drugs, sex, and money, and Yahia has to find a way to adapt into all this cruelty.In the movie, the roles of both Uday Hussein and Latif Yahia are played by Dominic Cooper. Although this is his first role as the leading actor, hisperformance isbreathtaking.

Director: Lee Tamahori

Lead Actors:Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier and Raad Rawi

Language:English

Genre:Action, Biography, Drama

This is Not a Filmis a controversial film by the most importantIranian director Jafar Panahi. The movie was smuggled out of Iranto Cannes Film Festival on a flash discinside of a cake since Jafar Panahi's rights of making a movie is banned for 20 years by the oppressiveIranian government. In the film, Panahi spends an ordinary day at home andtells his friend documentary producer Mirtahmasb his ideas for a new movie. Panahi is the co-director, screenwriter, film editor, and star in this “non movie” where he proves that he will always pursue his desire of making movies.

Directors:Mojtaba Mirtahmasb and Jafar Panahi

Lead Actors: Jafar Panahi

Language:Persian

Genre:Documentary

This year’s 21^st Akbank Jazz Festival offers an especially wide selection of music, stretching the generic confines of jazz to the limit. With acts as varied as Azam Ali, Hollie Cook, The Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Ray Gelato, and dozens of others, the festival has something for every taste, even for those who wouldn’t normally consider themselves jazz fans.

The only way to know for sure what you want to attend is to look at Akbank’s complete program, available here. For those who would like a little musical guidance, here are five picks courtesy of The Guide’s editorial staff.

Arild Andersen Trio

One of the most exceptional European jazz trios, the Arild Andersen Trio, will kick start the festival on the 13^th. The trio’s founder, Arild Andersen, is a prominent Norwegian bass player who was named European Musician of the Year in 2008 by the French Académie du jazz. Andersen is accompanied by the legendary Scottish saxophone player Tommy Smith and the Italian drummer Paolo Vinaccia.

Andersen, who has been on the Scandinavian Jazz scene since the 1970s, is undeniably one ofthe most gifted talents in Scandinavia. He has released numerous albums, performed with the Jan Garbarek Quartet, and collaborated with American jazz masters like Chick Corea, Phil Woods,and Dexter Gordon. Music critics have been very effusive with their praise about this Norwegian bassist: “The music of the Arild Andersen Trio is not about showing off,” saysTyran Grillo in his review of the Rochester International Jazz Festival.“It is about mood, reflection and living in the moment. The bass may be Anderson's voice, but song craft is his forte.”

Where:Cemal Reşit Rey Konser Salonu

When: October 13, 8:30 PM

How much: 50 TL; 40 TL; 30 TL; 20 TL (students)

ZAZ

The young French songstress Isabelle Geffroy (better known as Zaz), hugely popular both in France and here in Turkey – where she is especially known for her hit song “Je Veux” (I want to) – will be performing in Istanbul for one night only.

Starting her musical studies at the age of five, Zaz attracted attention through her street concerts in Paris, and her fame has swiftly increased to the point where she is now known as France’s most popular singer. She has released one album to date, Zaz, as well as a number of hit singles, and we’re sure her audiences are breathlessly awaiting another album from this hugely talented singer, with her infectious energy, zest, and love of life.

When: October 22, 8:30 PM

Where: Lutfi Kirdar Kongre ve Sergi Sarayi

How much: 125 TL; 103.50 TL; 93 TL; 82.50 TL; 71.50 TL; 56.50 TL; 55.50 TL

The Ray Gelato Giants

During the festival you’ll have a chance to hear Ray Gelato and his band perform at Babylon. Gelato, widely recognized as one of the greatest living UK masters of swing, is in great demand and has performed for Paul McCartney, Richard Branson, and the British royal family. Gelato formed his current group, The Ray Gelato Giants, in 1994, and his career since then has been a flurry of tours, film appearances, and album releases. Renowned for his lively and energetic interpretations of such classic songs as “That’s Amore” and “Just a Gigolo,” Gelato is sure to provide audiences at Babylon with a night of terrific singing and saxophone playing.

The Ray Gelato Giants are in Istanbul to promote their new album, Ray Gelato Salutes The Great Entertainers. Gelato’s band is made up of the Gelato himself on vocals and tenor saxophone, Daniel Marsden on trumpet, Andrew Rogers on trombone, Oliver Wilby on alto/tenor saxophone, Oliver Hayhurst on double bass, Gunther Kurmayr on piano, and Sebastian De Krom on drums. Don’t delay! Get your tickets before they’re sold out.

When: October 13, 10:30 PM

Where: Babylon

How much: 30 TL; 20 TL (students)

Avishai Cohen

The jazz musician Avishai Cohen, whose 2006 album Continuo was described by the New York Times as combining “heavy Middle Eastern groove with a delicate, almost New Age lyricism,” has long been a fixture of New York City’s jazz scene, and has made a dozen albums in his career. Cohen originally studied the piano, then moved on to bass guitar and double bass, under the influence of the bass guitarist Jaco Pastorius. Cohen has performed with his mentor, jazz legend Chick Corea, as well as with other stars like Herbie Hancock and Bobby McFerrin.

Cohen will be singing and playing bass on numbers from his latest album, Seven Seas, alongside Omri Mor on piano, and Amir Bresler on drums. Don’t miss this great concert by a fantastic jazz maestro, Avishai Cohen.

When: October 23, 8:30 PM

Where: Lütfi Kırdar Kongre ve Sergi Sarayı

How much: 60 TL; 50 TL; 40 TL; 30 TL; 20 TL (students)

Kerem Görsev Trio & Sedef Erçetin “Chamber Jazz”

Jazz, in all its different incarnations (Nu-jazz, Balkan jazz, swing jazz, fusion jazz, and many more) is the focal point of the Akbank Jazz Festival. For those who prefer a more classic, even classical, variety of jazz, Kerem Görsev is a perfect choice. The 50-year-old Görsev was initially trained as a classical pianist (at the Istanbul State Conservatory), and the influence of classical music on his jazz projects (which include albums madewith the London and St. Petersburg Philharmonics) is evident. Görsev is currently applying a chamber music approach to jazz through his Chamber Jazz project.

Görsev’s trio normally consists of himself on piano, Kağan Yıldız on double bass, and Ferit Odman on drums. For the Chamber Jazz project, the trio will be joined by Sedef Erçetin on cello. Come to The Seed to hear their unique sound, bridging the gap between jazz and classical music.

When: October 20, 9:00 PM

Where: The Seed

How much: 50 TL

IDW, now in its sixth year, will take place on the Old Galata Bridge, and will include a variety of conferences, exhibitions, and seminars. The attendees will include such eminent names in design as Lidewij Edekoort, Amanda Levete, Tomoko Azumi, Melkan Tabanlıoğlu, Zuzanna Skalaska, Paul Van Ravestein and Monique Mulder (Mattmo), Nathan Shedroff, Ralph Wiegman, Timo Wong and Priscilla Lui, Ronen Kadushin and Eberhard Schrempf.

During Istanbul Design Week, you will have the chance to see an exhibition entitled Design Spirit, whose concept involves 40 projects by 40 designers under the age of 40. The Barbarian Group will also have an exhibition showcasing its innovate ideas in book design. Additional exhibitions will include Pink Design, involving various pink-colored products; an exhibition by the well-known Turkish designers Aziz Sariyer, Akin Nalca, Şule Koç, Tamer Nakisci, Fatih Alkan and Ayla Turan,entitled Istanbul Bells; Izmir Design Line, featuring the works of Izmir-based designers; Juju Studio; the winners of the Dutch Design Awards; the Dutch design firm Brainport; the Good 50x70 poster exhibition; and work by the English graphic designer Anthony Burrill. There will also be an exhibition from Austria at the nearby Eski Şapka Fabrikası (Old Hat Factory) in Hasköy. Finally, during Istanbul Design Week you will be able to see the winning design projects from the W Hotel’s Young Designers Competition.

Design aficionados will not want to miss this important annual event, which is sure to be brimming with new ideas and concepts.

When: September 28 – October 2

Where: Old Galata Bridge

How much: 10 TL; 5 TL (students)

The Turkish-Bulgarian artist Ergin Çavuşoğlu’s exhibit Başkalık (Alterity), at the Rampa Gallery, deals with life’s little coincidences, and their greater significance, accompanied by an instructional video explaining the artist’s methodology.

When: September 12 - October 20

Click here for more details.

The Kurye 11 Video Screenings, running concurrently with the Kurye 2011 Game Art Festival, are a series of documentary and non-documentary films and videos of various lengths, either inspired by video games or taking video games as their subject matter.

When: September 12 – 18

Click here for more details.

The Kurye 2011 Game Art Festival entitled Space Invaders, at Yapı-Endüstri Merkezi,deals with the intersecting fields of video, art, and video games, with panels by various prominent gamers, game developers, and artists.

When: September 14 – 23

Click here for more details.

The exhibit entitled İstanbullaşmak (becoming Istanbul) at SALT Gallery in Beyoğlu sheds light on some mysteries in Istanbul’s history, explaining the origins of the names of different neighborhoods, public transportation in the city, the changing face of Istanbul, and many other fascinating questions.

When: September 13 - December 31

Click here for more details.

Tekinsiz Oyunlar (Uncanny Games), at Pg Gallery, asks us to consider what a “game” is, with an exhibit by 22 different artists focusing on the not quite so innocent games of one-upmanship played by adults.

When: September 13 - October 28

Click here for more details.

Mogens Jacobsen’s OECDlab at PiST is an interactive look at the world of laboratory equipment and statistical measuring devices, provocatively inviting its audience to question the notion of scientific objectivity.

When: September 14 – November 5

Click here for more details.

The newly-opening Pilot Gallery in Cihangir will host an exhibition entitled If I Can’t Dance It’s Not My Revolution by Halil Altındere. The exhibition’s various themes include the anarchist Emma Goldman (the inspiration for the exhibition’s title) and the Dengbej people of Southeast Anatolia.

When: September 15 – November 12

Click here for more details.

Pop Art Extended, at Gallery Linart and ALANistanbul, offers a look movement known as Pop Art, not only by displaying three Warhol pieces never shown before in Turkey, but also through the work of artists following in Warhol’s footsteps: Arda Yalkın, Ayline Olukman, Ayşegül Sağbaş, Deniz Beşer, Gökçe Çelikel, Halil Vurucuoğlu, Monika Bulanda, Murat Pulat, Yiğit Yazıcı and Zeynep Beler.

When: September 15 – October 15

Click here for more details.

The artist and filmmaker Kutluğ Ataman’s Mesopotamya Dramaturjileri (Mesopotamian Dramaturgies), at Arter, is an ongoing photo/video project dealing with the clash between tradition and modernity in Southeast Anatolia (later installments will take us to other countries in the region such as Syria and Iraq.)

When: September 15 - November 16

Click here for more details.

Hayal ve Hakikat: Türkiye’den Modern ve Çağdaş Kadın Sanatçılar(Dreams and Reality: Modern and Contemporary Female Artists from Turkey), at the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, is a wide-ranging exhibition of Turkish women’s art from the early 1900s to the present, offering a feminist perspective on art, society, and women’s issues. Various panels and symposia will accompany the exhibition.

When: September 16 - January 8

Click here for more details.

Reflex at Galeri Nev, by the artist Canan Tolon, is an exhibit of abstract oil paintings whose patterns are subtly repeated and transformed from panel to panel. In this way, Tolon’s static images take on dynamic force.

When: September 17 - October 22

Click here for more details.

İnci Eviner’s Kırık Manifestolar (Broken Manifestoes), showing at Galeri Nev, is an unsettling exhibition of video screens offering a vision of humankind gone astray. The exhibition has a soundtrack by João Pedro Veloso Rodrigues.

When: September 17 – October 30

Click here for more details.

To inaugurate the Perili Köşk’s use as a gallery space on the weekends, there will be an exhibition entitled Yedi Yeni İş (Seven New Works) by Esra Ersen, Burak Arıkan, Gülsün Karamustafa, Cevdet Erek, Nasan Tur, Ergin Çavuşoğlu and Aslı Çavuşoğlu, and curated by Mario Codognato and Sylvia Kouvali.

When: September 17 – December 11

Click here for more details.

The duo known as :mentalKLINIK, consisting of Yasemin Baydar and Birol Demir, have an exhibition entitled That’s F___ing Awesome (through Galerist) at the Hasköy Yarn Factory. This exhibition will force the viewer to see everyday objects in an eery and unfamiliar light.

When: September 17 – October 22

Click here for more details.

Ali Taptık’s Deployment at X-ist is a four-part series of photographs whose subjects include catalogues of various plant specimens, the photographer’s snapshot photos, photos taken with different focal lengths, and photos dealing with the Turkish publication of Henry Miller’s Tropic of Capricorn.

When: September 22 – October 15

Click here for more details.

Rasha Kahil’s exhibit In Your Home, at The Empire Project, is a provocative series of photographs of the artist, in the nude, in houses belonging to friends and acquaintances of hers. The exhibit asks the viewer to question who is the real voyeur: us, or the artist?

When: September 23 – October 29

Click here for more details.

Rasha Kahil will also give a talk at The Empire Project dealing with the issues with which she is preoccupied as an artist – the body, the gaze, and the relationship between the public and the private.

When: September 24

Click here for more details.

When: September 17 to November 13

Where: Atrepo 3 and Antrepo 5

Istanbul residents and visitors alike are waiting with excitement and anticipation for the 12^th Istanbul Biennial, which will take place this year from September 17 to November 13. Organized by the IKSV, with sponsorship from Koç Holding, this event is cloaked in an air of mystery; very few details are being released to the general public. Naturally, this has helped add to the buzz of this always-anticipated event. Indeed, the Biennial has helped put Istanbul on the map as a global arts destination, and today it is widely considered to be among the most important art events in Europe.

The title for this year’s Biennial is “Untitled”. This title, along with the visual identity and themes of the Biennial, reference the work of Cuban-American artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Gonzalez-Torres was one of the most influential artists of his time, combining elements of conceptual art, minimalism, and political activism in his work, which was both formally innovative and explicitly political. Gonzalez-Torres’s work challenged notions of public and private space as well as the authoritative structures in which we all function. His artwork often used everyday objects, such as light bulbs, pieces of string, paper, and cellophane-wrapped hard candies, while his experience with AIDS was another recurring theme in his work.

While Gonzalez-Torres’s work will not be displayed at the Biennial, his presence and artistic themes will be evoked in a number of ways. IKSV has stated that, in keeping with Gonzalez-Torres’s idea of “Untitled” and his desire to circumvent established artistic and political conventions, the names of the artists will remain undisclosed until the Biennial’s opening. However, with the release of some preliminary images, we have learnt the names of some of the artists whose work will be on display at the Biennial, including Claudia Andujar, Dora Maurer, Geta Bratescu, Letizia Battaglia, Martha Rosler, Teresa Burga, Tina Modotti, and Zarina Hashmi.

Taking inspiration from Gonzalez-Torres’s work, the Biennial will be composed of five group exhibitions. Around these group exhibitions will be more than 50 solo presentations, which will be linked to the subjects of the groups, but will go one step further in pushing the themes and exploring the topics presented in the group exhibits.

The five group exhibitions will be as follows:

Untitled (Abstraction)Inspired by Gonzalez-Torres’s “Untitled” (Bloodwork—Steady Decline, 1994), this exhibit brings together artists whose works subvert pure abstraction and high-modernism by integrating political and physiological themes into their artwork.

“Untitled” (Ross)takes its point of departure from “Untitled”(Ross, 1991),a work which consisted of an endless supply of candies individually wrapped in various colors of cellophane, which was an homage to Gonzalez-Torres’s lover Ross. This exhibit consists of works that blend the personal into the political, exploring themes of gay love, relations, family, identity, desire, sexuality, and loss.

“Untitled” (Passport)takes its inspiration from “Untitled” (Passport #II, 1993), a work consisting of endless copies of bound booklets. The themes in this exhibit include national identity, trespassing across borders, mapping, statehood, economic migration, and political and cultural alienation.

“Untitled:” (History)focuses on the writing of history and alternative readings of history.

“Untitled” (Death by Gun)is inspired by the “stack piece” of the same title by Gonzalez-Torres (1990). This is a group exhibition that considers the rampant global spread of gun violence through a diverse array of historic and contemporary artworks that focus on the role of the gun, the murderer, and the victim.

The venue for the 12^th Istanbul Biennial will be Antrepo 3 and 5. The inside of these former warehouse spaces have been transformed into exhibition spaces with steel and drywall construction by the Architectural Design Office of Ryue Nishizawa. The IKSV has stated that with this exhibit space and format, this Biennial is drawing attention to the importance of the exhibition, the primary format of artistic and curatorial expression. This is in response to the trend seen today, particularly in the biennial context, in which multiple side shows and supporting events are favored over the main event. Instead, this Biennial will be installed in Antrepo, within a single, carefully constructed space that privileges the display of artworks.

The Biennial is being co-curated by Adriano Pedrosa, the founding director of Programa Independente da Escola São Paulo (PIESP), and Jens Hoffmann, director of the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts in San Francisco. Pedrosa and Hoffmann have previously stated that their curatorial approach attempts to negotiate two seemingly opposing perspectives in contemporary art: art that is concerned purely with aesthetic and formal matters, and art that overtly addresses political and social subjects. Clearly, the political and the personal, and the connection between the two, will be a strong theme throughout this Biennial.

While some consider all artwork political, it can certainly be said that the Turkish contemporary art scene has been a relatively free medium for political criticism in comparison to other media in Turkey, such as mass media or demonstrations. In fact, through his work, Gonzalez-Torres demonstrated that the most successful political moves are ones that do not appear on first glance to be political. Surely the fact that Gonzalez-Torresfrequently addresses explicitly political subjects in his work was a key motivation behind picking his work as the starting point and inspiration for this Istanbul Biennial. How this year’s artists will take these themes as an inspiration for their work remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure— we are all waiting with baited breath.

If your youngster spends too much time with play dough, why not encourage them to participate in a sculpture workshop? Pera Museum offers separate sculpture workshops for kids aged 6-7 and 8-12.

If they know each and every single Hollywood star by heart, they’ll probably love to learn filming.

If they like to spell A-R-T all the time, they’ll enjoy learning about how a museum works.

If they constantly drag you to the stationary store and force you to buy colorful pens, take the little ones to a painting workshop.For kids between 8-12 years old, there is a separate painting workshop.

If they keep talking about the world tour they’re going to have when they grow up, let them learn what the earth is made of.

Not only will kids engage themselves deep in art, but they will also get to see that that the concept of a museum is not so boring after all! Definitely a chance they shouldn’t miss.

Social realism is forever an interesting art form for younger art-lovers, and even an older crowd looking to keep up with the “Art Noveau.” As a pioneer in this field for Turkish art, Nuri İyem’s creations have combined the best of both Anatolian and modern realism.

The new and older works of Nuri İyem, Nasip İyem, Naile Akıncı, Neş’e Erdok, and Nedret Sekban will be displayed until the end of summer as a collective group.Nuri İyem, the outstanding name of the exhibit, was one of the forerunners of the art wave “Yeniler,” which focused on the social realistic painting within Turkish art. He focused on the faces of the melancholic and endeavoring Anatolian women, and the traces of their migratory struggle can be found in İyem’s work of the past 50 years.

Evin Art Gallery sits in a historic building that has been renovated while keeping all the historic features of the building intact, and stands as a center for both personal and group exhibits of Turkish visual arts. Take some time out of your daily routine to explore this truly amazing collection of new-meets-classic art, we promise you won’t regret it!

When: Until September 30

How Much: Free

The year 1973 was a monumental year for Istanbul, as the world’s attention turned towards the Bosphorus Strait with the completion of the Bosphorus Bridge—the first bridge to connect Europe and Asia. During the same year, a cultural bridge between these two continents as well as the rest of the world began taking its roots with the establishment of the IKSV Festival.

What began as a comprehensive festival, which included jazz, classical music, contemporary dance, and film, later divided into separate IKSV festivals, allowing for a more thorough focus on these individual areas. Having adopted its current title in 1994, the Istanbul International Music Festival has brought the likes of Adam Fischer, Cecilia Bartoli, Fazıl Say, and José Collado to eager audiences in Istanbul over the past 38 years. This year, the festival is celebrating its 39^th year with more than 600 national and international musicians, and a bevy of premieres. In line with this year’s theme “Journeys to the Far,” the festival is offering eclectic options from the US and Mexico to Russia and Argentina.

The opening concert on June 4^th was a huge success with the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of “Izmir Rhapsody” composed by Muammer Sun (who received the festival’s Honorary Award on the same night) under the baton of Sascha Goetzel. The concert also included Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A minor” and Sergei Prokofiev’s “Scythian Suite” with the dynamic interpretation of the young piano virtuoso Lara Melda.

Tonight, to pay homage to the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt’s 200^th birth anniversary, Turkey’s master piano virtuoso İdil Biret will give life to his compositions at the Hagia Irene Museum. Consistent with the festival’s theme, Biret will play “Années de Pèlerinage”—pieces that Liszt composed, inspired by his journeys throughout Italy.

The same venue will host a historic event on June 10, when the Latvian violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer will take the stage to conduct Kremerata Baltica for the first time, a chamber orchestra made of young musicians from Baltic countries. The event is titled “Hommage a Glenn Gould,” as the repertoire of the night consists of seven pieces dedicated to the legendary Canadian pianist, especially commissioned to seven contemporary composers by Kremer, who will be granted a “Lifetime Achievement Award” before the concert.

On June 16, the audience of the “On the Road &Off the Road” event at Hagia Irene Museum will witness the world premiere of a specially commissioned piece for the festival. In celebration of Turkey’s legendary composer İlhan Usmanbaş’s 90^th birthday, the Akbank Chamber Orchestra will perform Usmanbaş’s Concerto (a piece that the Istanbul Music Festival commissioned for this concert) under the baton of conductor Cem Mansur.

June 17 will mark another world premiere of a piece commissioned by the festival. This event, called “Grammar of Dreams,” will take place at santralistanbul’s Energy Museum - a venue that is hosting the festival’s events for the first time this year. During this event, young Turkish composer Turgut Pöğün’s “Music I”, and pieces by the Hezarfen Ensemble and Michael Ellison will be performed.

The festival’s exclusive concert is by none other than the ultimate diva Renée Fleming, accompanied by the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sascha Goetzel. With her charismatic appearance and perfect interpretations, the American soprano who will be performing in Turkey for the first time, will illuminate the stage at the Hagia Irene Museum on June 22.

Another unique event titled “Dreaming the Faraway” will take place on June 25 at the Hagia Irene Museum. For the night’s performance, David Greilsammer, The Music Director of the Geneva Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Suedama Ensemble in New York, will take the stage with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, performing pieces by Mozart, Ravel, and Rameau.

Last but not least, the closing concert (an event that is expected to host the largest number of attendees) will be at Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center on June 29. Originally founded by the late American conductor, composer, and pianist Leonard Bernstein; Schleswig-Holstein Orchestra will be conducted by the much-celebrated German pianist and conductor Christoph Eschenbach. The American cellist Alissa Weilerstein (who is considered by many as the heir to the multi-award winner, American cellist, virtuoso, and orchestral composer Yo-Yo Ma) will be the soloist for the night.

With its select events, outstanding musicians, and inspirational locations, the Istanbul Music Festival continues to live up to its reputation as one of the best festivals in Turkey, once again enriching Istanbul’s cultural landscape.

The festival will be running from June 4 to June 29. Tickets can be purchased through Biletix kiosks, call center (0216 556 98 00), or website (www.biletix.com) as well as the headquarters of Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts and the Hagia Irene Museum kiosk.

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In addition to classic festival locations (the Hagia Irene Museum, Archeological Museum, Çinili Köşk, Süreyya Opera House, and Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center), this year, Galata Mevlevihanesi, Istanbul University Rector’s Building, Istanbul Modern, and santralistanbul are also added to the mix. If you are looking for good alternatives on where to eat and drink pre/post concerts, here is a list exclusively selected by The Guide Istanbul.

Around Hagia Irene Museum, Archeological Museum, Çinili Köşk, Istanbul University Rector’s Building

Balıkçı Sabahattin– Housed in a restored Ottoman mansion, Balıkçı Sabahattin is one of the top seafood restaurants in Istanbul.

Seasons Restaurant– Located in a huge glass pavilion within the 5-star Four Seasons hotel, Seasons offers excellent international, Ottoman, and contemporary Turkish dishes.

Meşhur Filibe Köftecisi– Humble yet delicious, meatballs never tasted so good. Do not forget to order piyaz on the side!

Hamdi Eminönü – A few steps away from the Egyptian Bazaar, Hamdi is famous not only for its large variety of delicious kebabs and mezes but also for its exceptional views of the Golden Horn.

Giritli – Located in a cozy garden lit with colorful bulbs, Giritli offers the freshest seafood, a huge selection of mezes from the Greek island of Crete, and is especially attractive on warm summer nights.

Dubb Indian – With a wonderful view of the Old City, Dubb Indian is one of the few Indian restaurants in Istanbul, offering authentic dishes (especially Northern specialties).

Around Süreyya Opera House

Çiya– This modest restaurant offers delicacies from Syria, Georgia, southern Iran, and all parts of Turkey, with a menu that changes almost daily.

Yanyalı Fehmi Lokantası– A century-old esnaf lokantası (tradesmen restaurant), Yanyalı Fehmi is a modest, family-run eatery where you can find a variety of kebabs, grills, fish, meat, and vegetable stews. Their desserts win rave reviews!

Divan Marina Brasserie– Divan is a great choice for fine dining with a refreshing view of the marina.

Viktor Levi– One of the most established wine houses in Istanbul, you can drink selective wines accompanied by tasteful meze-style dishes.

Angel Restaurant Salacak– With a spectacular view of the Maiden’s Tower, Angel Restaurant is a typical fish restaurant that is sure to satisfy your taste buds!

Around Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center

Delicatessen– A hip joint at the heart of Nişantaşı, Delicatessen offers dozens of choices from steak burger to fresh fish, and most dishes come with scrumptious sides.

Borsa– An established restaurant dedicated to traditional Turkish cuisine, Borsa is a classic choice for concerts-goers.

Dragon Chinese– Arguably one of the best options for Chinese food in Istanbul, Dragon Chinese specializes in Cantonese and Szechuan dishes prepared by chefs from Hong Kong.

Park Şamdan– An established fine-dining restaurant, Park Şamdan serves Turkish and international dishes. You can rely on your experienced waiter to lead you through the impressive menu.

Brasserie Nişantaşı– Located on the trendiest crossroad in Nişantaşı, Brasserie Nişantaşı is the meeting point for Istanbul’s glitterati and one of the best places for people-watching. The menu is very French, with salmon, beef carpaccio, and great summer desserts, as well as a variety of European dishes.

Around Galata Mevlevihanesi and Istanbul Modern

Meze by Lemon Tree– For meyhane aficionados as well as novices, there isn’t a better place to drink rakı and please your palate with sophisticated takes on traditional mezes.

X Restaurant–X Restaurant is located on the top floor of the Istanbul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s building, offering magnificent views over The Golden Horn and the historical peninsula. The Turkish and Mediterranean fusion menu includes such delicacies as pumpkin soup and Homemade Smoked Salmon Slices with Beetroot Puree and Quail Eggs Pane.

Lokanta Maya– A relatively new addition to the Karaköy district, this small and cute restaurant makes excellent appetizers; make sure you try the mücver!

Karaköy Lokantası– Located on a small street behind the Karaköy shipping docks, Karaköy Lokantası is known for offering consistently delicious Turkish cuisine at reasonable prices. A family-run restaurant, this is one of the most popular lunch spots in the neighborhood with local businessmen, while in the evening the atmosphere is more like a meyhane (Turkish tavern).

Akın Balık– A humble fish restaurant located right on the docks of Karaköy, Akın Balık is a great spot from which to enjoy the sunset.

Istanbul Modern Cafe– Known for its great panoramic views of the Old City and the Bosphorus, the café’s inventive menu features hot and cold appetizers, seafood, pasta, and meat dishes.

Around santralistanbul

Ottosantral– Located at santralistanbul, this hip restaurant offers Italian and Fusion cuisine alongside traditional Turkish specialties. The salads are particularly fresh and inventive, while their oven-baked pizzas and amazing cocktails are often raved about.

Asitane– Asitane is solely dedicated to serving historic recipes of the Ottoman Empire.Their menu consists of specialties prepared from the Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palace kitchen archives, and some of the dishes date back to the early 16th century.

The radical hat designer Stephen Jones is at Vakko Moda Merkezi to celebrate the 30th year of his career with his retrospective exhibit “Stephen Jones & the Accent of Fashion”. The exhibit includes hats that Stephen Jones designed for his own collection in addition to the designs he made for JeanPaul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Comme des Garçons, Claude Montana, John Galliano, Christian Dior, Azzedine Alaïa,Walter Van Beirendonck, and Marc Jacobs.

The exhibit consists of 180 hats under four categories, as well as the “Turkish Entrée”—a collection of Turkish creations that Stephen Jones specifically designed for the exhibit. Stephen Jones has previously exhibited his work at The Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Louvre Museum in Paris, and Brooklyn Museum in New York.

In the 19^thcentury, the Ottoman sultans, the imperial family, and the statesmen paid special attention to portrait photography, which reached its peak during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. The development of portrait photography in the Ottoman era was largely due to the mastery of the court photographer Vasilaki Kargopulo and the Armenian-Ottoman Abdullah Brothers, who ran a photography studio in Istanbul and were made the official royal photographers to the Ottoman Sultan in 1863. Later on, the members of the Ottoman family started taking their own pictures in the privacy of their living areas.

This temporary exhibit at the Sadberk Hanım Museum features a selection of Ömer M. Koç’s photography collection, which includes portrait photographs of the imperial family that were taken with remarkably high skills and artistry. You will find the photographs of Caliph Abdülmecid Efendi, Heir Apparent Yusuf İzzeddin Efendi, and the royal princes Ömer Faruk, Mehmed Selaheddin, and Osman Fuad.

When:Until 24 April

How much:7 TL (Student)

Curated by Paolo Colombo and Levent Çalıkoğlu, the exhibit “Kayıp Cennet” (meaning paradise lost) deals with the relationship between art, nature, and technology. The name of the exhibit comes from 17th-century English poet John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost,” which deals with the fall of man through Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The exhibit forces visitors to contemplate their future in light of current natural disasters as it deals with the conflicts between nature and civilization and the clash of nature with today’s world of technology.

The exhibit presents the works of contemporary video and digital media artists from various generations and countries. The exhibited artists are: Doug Aitken, Francis Alÿs, Katerina Athanasopoulou, Jim Campell, Ergin Çavuşoğlu, DesertMed, Shaun Gladwell, Emre Hüner, Nina Katchadourian, Ali Kazma, Laleh Khorramian, Guy Maddin, Rivane Neuenschwander, Ulrike Ottinger, Tony Oursler, Qiu Anxiong, Pipilotti Rist, Charles Sandison, Kiki Smith, Bill Viola, and Pae White.

When:25 March 2011 – 24 July 2011

Where:Istanbul Modern Museum

How much:Museum entry fee

Lu photographs mountains of garbage and rubble that are covered in green netting, and then digitally enhances them with images of trees, boats, and pagodas, to create a powerful social commentary on the value placed on development and urbanization over the environment in modern-day China. This show, curated by Engin Özdenes, features 31 photographs, 11 of which were taken specifically for the exhibit.