exhibition: Istanbul Otherwise
Domus Academy, Milan, 23 March – 12 April 2010
Bauhaus Universitat Weimar, Germany, 16 April – 6 May 2010
Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, 18 May – 31 May 2010
Homage to working children
Koray Ozgen created this “monument-object”, for a commission in the context of Istanbul, 2010 European Capital of Culture. Seven contemporary Turkish designers were invited to create objects on the theme “Istanbul Otherwise”.
Without a name / Koray Ozgen
When set out to think with an Istanbul Otherwise” approach, the shoe shine box can lead the designer to different concepts. Literally, this object suggests those large shiny boxes that tourists coming to Istanbul are accustomed to see in the lobbies of grand hotels. Yet, as a matter of fact, as we roam the sidewalks or squares of Istanbul, we often come across children who shine shoes using small boxes and brushes made suitably for their small hands. In such context, the designer may express him-/herself through an object, by detaching that object from its contemporary cultural marketing typology with an intervention that establishes a link between the past and the present. One way to cherish in our minds these shoe shine boxes that are identified with children working as shoe shiners deprived of their homes, schools, and non-existent toys during significant periods of their lives, may be to turn them into “monument-objects”. Objects which represent the possibility of a life equal to the respect they deserve as human beings and an “Istanbul otherwise” where they would not have to shine shoes. Objects we can even install in places in Istanbul that have witnessed this “sadness”.
exhibition/event design: Istanbul Contrast – Dice Kayek
Hall des Maréchaux, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. 30 March 2010
Turkish Cultural Season in France / IKSV
Koray Ozgen designed the visual identity and scenography of the “Istanbul Contrast” exhibition which took place within in the framework of the Turkish Cultural Season in France.
www.en.istanbul2010.org
Located at “Hall des Maréchaux” of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the scenography of the exhibition had a prior engagement to respect the historical and prestigious nature of the setting. The scenography made a basic use of paper and light to put on stage the collection of the fashion designers Dice Kayek inspired by the multiple facets of the city of Istanbul. The major elements of the scenography were lighted walls enlighting Istanbul themed photographs by S. Kösemen, podiums upon which dressmaker forms and digital information panels were installed, lighted columns carrying the exhibition information and special lighting effects. Rose flavoured lokoums were served to guests and fresh tulip decorations installed to reinforce the multi-sensorial effect along with background tunes from Burhan Öcal.
exhibition: Ornementa, Paris Istanbul
1 December 2009 – 30 January 2010
Les Ateliers de Paris invites designers to think on the theme “Ornament”.
A group exhibition within the context of the Turkish Cultural Season in France.
“Seraphim”: Room divider and glassware by Koray Ozgen
“The poetry of lightness consists of creating a floating space allowing every kind of communication and flow between cultures. Just as clouds and smoke have become scientific models, so too design finds its real and fictional medium in ornamentation. It is an insert combining Istanbul on Seine in the finery and shadow of a redefined concept of ideal beauty shared by East and West, Europe and Asia.”
Christine Buci-Glucksmann (exhibition catalog)
Istanbul, Traversée
Exhibition identity and signage design by Ozgen Design Studio for Lille3000.
Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille, 14 March – 12 July 2009
Exhibition curated by Caroline Naphegyi
The Palais des Beaux-Arts of Lille is a historical monument composed of several buildings with diverse architectural styles and housing permanent works. A visual intervention within the framework of a temporary exhibition had to remain discrete so as not to stand in the light of the existant works and not to merge with the the Museum’s original signage. It was a necessity to create an efficient signage through an immediate identification, orientation and information system which would give directions as well as information. The exhibition logotype is composed of two typographical elements : “Istanbul” and “Traversée”. A work on the Century Gothic Bold typeface has been done to
give a distinctive typographical aspect to the name “Istanbul”, associated to the word “Traversée” making directly reference to the silhouette of Istanbul. As a whole, the accent and the comma become a symbol : the intersection which makes up a compact graphic image. The creation of the exhibition walk through signage is inspired from the compass which is the essential instrument for space
ozgen.fr 