The İGA ART Gallery, iGA Istanbul Airport's center for art and culture, is hosting Mehmet Kavukcu's solo exhibition entitled, "Nature". The exhibition, curated by Professor Gülveli Kaya, features videos, photographs, and objects created by the artist over time, that are associated with the February 6 earthquakes that affected our nation.

iGA Istanbul Airport, Türkiye's gateway to the world, is committed to becoming a center for art where different cultures can meet and interact, while still establishing itself as the most important global hub in the region. The exhibition showcases a curated selection of artist Mehmet Kavukcu's videos and photographs from different times, along with objects he collected from the Hatay earthquake site. Entitled "Nature," this content explores the paradoxical relationship between humanity and the natural world, analyzing the consequences of this intricate interaction.

Professor Gülveli Kaya, curator of the exhibition juxtaposing "man of nature" with "the nature of man" at the İGA ART Gallery, expressed that, "While an individual who embodies the essence of nature remains devoted to its principles, embracing them with serenity and harmony as an integral component, thereby appreciating and savoring the wonders of nature, it is evident that a symbiotic relationship with nature contradicts our inherent human nature."

"Expressing our gratitude to the global community..."

Artist Mehmet Kavukcu presents his "Nature" exhibition, showcasing the artifacts and objects he gathered from the Hatay earthquake site. This immersive experience allows visitors to observe, interact with, and appreciate these remarkable pieces. Istanbul Airport views this exhibition as a chance to convey their appreciation to individuals worldwide for their empathy and support towards the earthquake-affected region.

The exhibition conveys the message that "Individuals are isolated without their tools," as Kavukcu presents three performances occurring at various times and locations. He harvests, gathers, and carries everything by himself. Occasionally, he transports various natural elements to either an urban hub or a distant site.

Journeys that lead to different experiences...

While expressing his appreciation for the exhibition of Mehmet Kavukcu's artistic works at iGA Istanbul Airport, Kadri Samsunlu, CEO, stated,

Having achieved the milestone of welcoming our 200 millionth passenger, a significant accomplishment at our airport, we aspire for each visit to evolve into a transformative journey that leads to different experiences. Through İGA ART, we see iGA Istanbul Airport as Türkiye's foremost artistic and cultural gateway to the world. iGA Istanbul Airport warmly welcomes hundreds of thousands of passengers from all over the world, every day. We firmly believe that organizing prestigious, high-profile exhibitions for our visitors represents a significant step in promoting artists, our airport, and the nation of Türkiye itself."

A commemorative monument is currently being constructed within the nature exhibition to honor those impacted by the earthquake.

As a nation that continues to feel the effects of these seismic events, Professor Hüsamettin Koçan, Chairman of the İGA ART Executive Board, emphasized that the exhibition serves as a platform for confronting our memories of the disaster.

Professor Koçan emphasizes that iGA is dedicated to long-term initiatives that will enhance aesthetic value and contribute to knowledge dissemination in Türkiye. He added that, "The İGA ART Gallery is one such project, and the Nature exhibition by Mehmet Kavukcu has a content that is suitable for international sharing. Mehmet Kavukcu, an artist who has devoted his life to examining the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, has effectively communicated this complex relationship through a distinct language and heightened sensitivity. Despite his affinity for nature and its inherent biases, Kavukcu has successfully produced influential artwork in remote areas such as Erzurum, which is situated far from the epicenter of the art world. This achievement has occurred despite the challenges posed by earthquakes, environmental contamination, and an increasing detachment between humanity and the environment. We are pleased to present the extraordinary artistic journey of this master artist, Mehmet Kavukcu, on a global platform. His extensive portfolio includes the art of sculpting ice from frozen trees during the winter season, embarking on solitary expeditions in snowy terrains to commune with nature, traversing through waste disposal sites to raise awareness, relocating deceased timber to urban areas to draw attention to its importance, and erecting a monument to memorialize the devastation and negligence caused by earthquakes by transferring the ruins from one earthquake-ravaged region, Erzincan, to another. We express our gratitude to the artist for showcasing his artwork at our venue, and extend our heartfelt congratulations to him."

Koçan emphasized that through the inclusion of objects and artifacts collected from the earthquake sites, Kavukcu allows the audience to feel a sense of empathy towards this catastrophic event.