Youth Go Ahead

Being young is a state in which excitement, energy, hope, and anxiety circulate simultaneously in a body that overflows with boundless imagination. At each stop on the journey of self- actualization, one faces the staggering challenges of proving oneself. Understanding and questioning nature, existence, and self

are all parts of the path. As we struggle with self-reckoning, the experiences of trial and errors, success and failure will reinforce us like an armor we wear in the future.Today, despite newly opened art spaces, galleries, museums, independent initiatives as well as the increasing number of educational institutions and the artists who graduate from these institutions, it is observed that there is not adequate space for the concept of “youth”. The “The Youth Go Ahead” selection emerged with the motivation to stand up to the challenging conditions brought by life, to create original discourse, and to emphasize interdisciplinary interaction. The selection is designed in a

structure that focuses on experimental production practices and adopts a pluralistic approach; thus aiming that independent artists express themselves through their works in the public arena. With our project consultant Prof. Dr. Hüsamettin Koçan’s suggestion, at the “The Youth Go Ahead” exhibition, “Youth Event” exhibitions that

took place in the 90s were used as a reference. Today, just like in the past, generating the synergy created by the interaction of the public space with the official space is aimed by adopting current and young concepts. AKM, which is among the main memory bases of the city, undoubtedly has the power to clearly reflect the impact

of the public space on the official space. The works of 22 artists, who tend to move on with the continuity

of being on the road, featuring a broad spectrum of mediums including sculptures, installations, paintings, and videos take a brief look at the concepts, materials and methods of contemporary production. The whale sculpture-produced in almost the same dimensions as the real one- which ensures the preservation of

the natural balance in the oceans, is placed in an artificial pool, and gives the message of unity through the relationship between the part and the whole. Concrete garbage bags, which gives the impression of being left on the steps, draw attention to the redundancy phase in daily life. Water which is a right to life and

its relationship with humans is displayed at the artificial corridor where the increasingly narrowing Bosphorus is placed. Artificial gardens installed on canvas, dysfunctional and deformed football fields, abstract and concrete forms that refer to the erosion brought about by urban life and social media reveal the concepts of

the 21st century.Each artist participating in the “The Youth Go Ahead” exhibition has been a part of the curatorial process by respecting the concept, method, and journey of one another. Also, they have

contributed immensely to the field of expression opened to them in cooperation with great sensitivity.

Curator, Ayca Okay

Artists:Atilla Saban, Beste Kopuz,Büşra Çeğil,Caner Kaya,Delal Eken,Emrullah Örünklü,Erdinç Topçu,Eymen Aktel,Furkan Depeli,Gizem Sezen Özçelik,Haydar Akdağ,Koray Bıyıklı,Mehmet Ali Yıldız,Mustafa Tuğrul,Ozan Dursun,Pınar Yılmaz,Seçil Büyükkan,Sıtkı Eryılmaz,Tarık Ceddi,Tansu Kırcı,Umut Kambak,Yağızhan Çalışkan

Academic Advisor: Prof. Husamettin KOCAN

Co curator:Nazlı Pektas