A Journey Behind the Scenes of Artistic Production at iGA Istanbul Airport

The photo exhibition telling the production story of the 37.7-meter-tall, two-piece kinetic sculpture located at iGA Istanbul Airport will be on view for art lovers at İGA ART Gallery until the end of August. The photo exhibition, focusing on the creative process behind the large-scale kinetic sculpture designed for iGA Istanbul Airport by artist Hayri Karay; winner of the "2nd İGA ART Art Projects Competition," one of Türkiye’s most comprehensive award programs in the field of culture and art, has opened its doors to art lovers at İGA ART Gallery, located in the international departures area.

The exhibition, which documents the stages the 37.7-meter-tall sculpture went through on its way to becoming one of iGA Istanbul Airport's landmark works, features photographs, technical drawings, and visual documents. Made up of two moving parts, the piece offers an original interpretation of the relationship between steel and light, generating different meanings depending on the viewer's perspective. The exhibition brings visitors the story behind the creation of this monumental work. The exhibition sheds light on the production journey of artist Hayri Karay's work, from his first sketches to three-dimensional models, from studio work to the processes at the factory where the piece was manufactured, and from technical drawings to visual studies.

Alongside photographs of the installation and assembly stages inside the Terminal, images of the completed sculpture taken from various points around the airport also make up an important part of the exhibition. Revealing the sculpture's transformation from an initial 11-centimeter-tall model into a monumental public artwork, the exhibition offers visitors the chance to experience the creative process firsthand.

As the reflection of İGA ART's vision of making art an inseparable part of the travel journey, the exhibition invites visitors to witness the production process rather than simply view a finished work, highlighting not only the aesthetic dimension of art but also the disciplines of engineering, design, and manufacturing. The exhibition will remain open to visitors at İGA ART Gallery until the end of August.

About Hayri Karay: Hayri Karay, winner of the 2nd İGA ART Art Projects Competition in 2023, was born in Balıkesir in 1952. He completed his sculpture education at the Academy of Fine Arts between 1970 and 1975, and served as a teaching assistant and instructor in sculpture workshops at the Academy of Fine Arts between 1976 and 1984. He received "Proficiency in Art," the equivalent of a doctorate in higher education. He authored the research book "Geometry in the Art of Sculpture." Karay continues his work at Karay Dekorasyon Istanbul, which he founded together with his wife, and has been giving sculpture lessons since 2016.