50th Anniversary of the Republic Sculptures

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 50th Anniversary of the Republic Sculptures are 20 sculptures erected in Istanbul that were created by selected Turkish sculptors in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

History[]

In May 1972, the Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic Celebrations, gathered at the Istanbul Governors headquarters and initially they wanted 50 sculptures to be created to celebrate the 50 years however due to lack of funds they reduced the number to 20.[1]

On Sept, 13 1973, the sketches and photos sent by the 20 selected artists are approved by the board members of the committee.[1]

Context in Turkish sculpture[]

It was difficult for Turkish sculptors to get exposure in the years between 1950 and 1960. What sculptors need is for their sculptures to be displayed in public spaces. Sculptures, other than monuments, were not really present until 1973.[2]

The project to create 50 sculptures for Istanbul within the scope of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish Republic was a turning point for Turkish sculpture. For the first time, sculptors were given a chance, outside the scope of monuments, to create sculptures for pre-determined locations. This allowed for a shift to modern sculpture from monumental sculpture. The result of the project, which initially set out to create 50 sculptures, were 20 sculptures erected in Istanbuls public spaces by important sculptors which reflected their original sculpting style.[2]

The sculptures[]

Original Name Translated Name Location Sculptor Year
İşçi Heykeli Workers Statue Tophane 1973
Güzel İstanbul Beautiful Istanbul Yıldız Park Gürdal Duyar 1973
Yağmur Rain Arnavutköy Akıntı Burnu 1973
Soyut: Negatif Form Abstract: Negative Form , Dolmabahçe 1973
Soyut: Yükseliş Abstract: Ascension in front of the Hilton Hotel, Harbiye 1973
İkimiz[1] The Two of Us Taksim Gezi Park 1973
Abstract Maçka 1973
Abstract Ali Teoman Germaner 1973
Bahar Spring Emirgan Park[3] 1973
Soyut: Dayanışma Abstract: Solidarity Zühtü Müridoğlu 1973
Soyut: Yankı Abstract: Echo 1973
Abstract Füsun Onur 1973
Abstract Taşlık Park, Beşiktaş Yavuz Görey 1973
Birlik Unity Barbaros Boulevard, 1973
Mimar Sinan Mimar Sinan , Fatih Nusret Suman 1973
Abstract 4.Levent Seyhun Topuz 1973
Figür Figure , Harbiye Zerrin Bölükbaşı 1973
Soyut: Bediha Muvahhit Anısına Abstract: In Honor of Bediha Muvahhit Yenikapı Tamer Başoğlu 1973
Abstract Gülhane Park Kuzgun Acar 1973
Kadın figürü Female figure Gülhane Park Kamil Sonad 1973

[4][5]

Dramatic fate of the sculptures[]

Surprisingly, many of these 20 sculptures met a dramatic end or were disturbed, damaged and/or removed from their location, some not even few days after they were erected.

Güzel İstanbul, by Gürdal Duyar, is removed from its foundation at Karaköy square, being found 'indecent', and is removed to the Yıldız Park being damaged in the process; İşçi by becomes the targeted in attacks; the fate of Nusret Sumans Mimar Sinan is unknown; İkimiz by is removed due to 'damage from external factors'; Birlik by , becomes the victim of a municipal compressor gun in 1986; Yükseliş by is sacrificed to road construction in 1984; Yağmur by suffers natures wrath; the abstract composition by Füsun Onur is removed during Bedrettin Dalans Municipal tenure in 1985; the abstract sculpture by Seyhun Topuz collapses due to 'natural causes' in 1984; the abstract sculpture by Tamer Başoğlu disappears in 1986; the abstract sculpture by Yavuz Görey is believed to have been stolen for its material (bronze) and similarly the abstract sculpture by disappears for its material (copper).[1]

Recent events[]

In 2011, 7 of the sculptures were cleaned and restored in the scope of the "sculpture project". Yankı was worked on for 6 hours under the consultancy of Dr. Üzlifat Özgümü and at the end was reportedly restored to its original state. Within the scope of the restorations the sculptures to be restored till the end of 2012 are the Abstract in Maçka, Bahar in Emirgan Park, the Republic 50. Years Monument in Galatasaray Square, Dayanışma in Fındıklı Park, Figür in front of the Muhsin Ertuğrul Theater, and the abstract sculpture at Bebek children's park.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Pelvanoğlu, Burcu. "Kamusal Alanda Çağdaş Heykel". sanalmuze.org (in Turkish). Virtual Museum. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b Ece 2011, p. 13.
  3. ^ DURBAŞ, REFİK (11 October 2008). "İstanbul'un heykel gündemi". Sabah. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  4. ^ Baron Von PLASTIK (17 July 2013). "İstanbul'da Güncel Arkeoloji: Cumhuriyetin 50. Yılı Heykelleri". Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  5. ^ Ece 2011, p. 16.
  6. ^ ""Cumhuriyetin 50. Yıl Heykelleri" Onarılıyor". Istanbul. HABERLER.COM. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2018.

Sources[]

Retrieved from ""