Hayri Karay masterpiece meets the world at İGA Istanbul Airport

ISTANBUL – iGA Istanbul Airport has officially unveiled a monumental 37.7-meter kinetic sculpture by artist Hayri Karay, winner of the 'iGA ART Art Projects Contest', an open call, biennial competition organised by iGA Istanbul Airport to showcase Turkish art and culture to global visitors. The opening ceremony of the sculpture was attended by prominent figures from the international art community. Welcoming passengers from across the globe, the two-part moving sculpture combines the unwavering strength of steel with the elegance of light via choreography of light and shadow. Located at the very center of the airport, it emphasises the cultural layers of Anatolia, the large West Asian peninsula that forms most of modern-day Turkey.

As a global leader in connectivity, iGA Istanbul Airport continues to bring Turkey’s cultural depth to life through the emotive power of art. The installation of the sculpture marks a significant milestone in contemporary art literature. It was borne out of the second iGA ART Art Projects Contest, one of the nation’s most comprehensive cultural awards. The unveiling ceremony featured iGA Istanbul Airport CEO Selahattin Bilgen, artist Hayri Karay, and distinguished guests from the world of culture and arts.

A modern manifesto of Anatolian cultural heritage

As stated in Hayri Karay’s manifesto titled "Untitled," the work reproduces Anatolia’s cultural diversity and ethnographic complexity through movement and transformation. It eschews the "fixed" form in favor of "constant motion" allowing for a unique and personal interpretation by every guest passing through the airport. With its dynamic structure, the kinetic sculpture invites viewers on a journey, described as a living phenomenon that evolves based on the observer’s position and movement. The mirrored surfaces reflect the airport terminal's dynamism to create an infinite perspective, while the interplay of light and shadow serves as the primary structural element.

Bringing art to the heart of the journey

During the ceremony, iGA Istanbul Airport CEO Selahattin Bilgen emphasised the pride of hosting the realisation of a project that triumphed 172 competition entries in 2023 and was dedicated by the artist to the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. He said: "This sculputure and the project behind it is one that pushes boundaries and we're proud to be a part of it. This colossal and iconic masterpiece is a new marker in the sand for where aviation and contemprorary art truly intersect. We have brought together the high dynamism of our terminal with the serenity of art. It's a structure that works as a participatory art experience, fully open to the interpretation, feelings, and perspective of its audience."

A process reconstructed with the viewer

Artist Hayri Karay described the philosophy behind the work: "This structurual sculpture differentiates itself through the relationship it establishes with the viewer. I wanted to ensure it defines a process that is open to multiple readings and is constantly changing; rather than having a fixed meaning it is reconstructed together with the audience."

iGA Istanbul Airport invites guests from all over the world to witness the new sculpture with its unique choreography of form and light at the heart of the terminal.

About Hayri Karay:

The 2023 winner of the İGA ART Art Projects Contest, Hayri Karay was born in Balıkesir in 1952. He completed his sculpture studies at the State Academy of Fine Arts (1970-1975) and served as a teaching assistant and instructor in sculpture workshops between 1976 and 1984. He holds a 'proficiency in Art' degree and is the author of the research book, “Geometry in the Art of Sculpture.” Karay continues his work at Karay Decoration Istanbul, which he co-founded with his wife, and has been providing sculpture training since 2016.