Committed to supporting and furthering the arts in Istanbul, the Istanbul Stock Exchange makes its contributions towards this end through organising exhibitions and concerts as well as sponsoring important artistic events in Istanbul.
Since moving to its new building in Istinye on May 15, 1995, the Istanbul Stock Exchange’s Art Gallery has hosted many exhibitions including posters, paintings, carpets, sculptures, and photographs. The ISE Art Gallery is open to public after trading hours.
In addition to the Art Gallery, the ISE Conference Hall, with a capacity to host 300 persons, is designed to accommodate not only conferences, but also musical and theatrical productions and cinema screenings. These performances are also open to public, providing another vital forum for the arts in the community. Among the most admirable artists of Turkey that gave recitals in the ISE Conference Hall are Ms. Verda ERMAN, Mr. Hüseyin SERMET, and Mr. Vedat KOSAL. Besides Classical Western music, Turkish classical music and tango concerts took place.
Istanbul International Film Festival, offering one of the most prestigious artistic organisations in the city, has now become a traditional festival with a past of fifteen years. The Istanbul Stock Exchange never hesitated to make its contribution to such a well-respected event and was the main sponsor of the last two festivals. ISE also took its part in the realisation of two productions of the Ministry of Culture, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, namely, the opera "Salome" and ballet "Leyla ile Mecnun", as the main sponsor.
As part of the ISE’s tenth anniversary celebration program, a painting contest was organised in May 1996. 315 artists participated the contest with 550 works. Mr. Mustafa HORASAN won the first prize of TL 550 millions while Mr. Mehmet UYGUN and Mr. Ahmet Umur DENIZ won the second and third prizes.
A 40-piece ceramic panel by Mr. Sitki OLCAR, depicting Turkey’s first stock exchange "Dersaadet" (Gate to Happiness), is one of the most exciting ceramic works of Turkey and embellishes the foyer of the Istanbul Stock Exchange.
Gracing the lawns in front of the ISE Protocol Entrance is a magnificent statue created by one of Turkey’s foremost sculptors, Mr. Mehmet AKSOY, entitled Bull and Bear. Symbolising the behaviour of the world’s stock markets, this 20-ton statue depicts an aggressive bull poised to attack the surrendering bear. The statue emphasises the power and energy of the Turkish markets. The four-meter high statue, crafted from fine-veined Afyon marble, was officially unveiled to mark the inauguration of the ISE’s new premises.
In June 1996, the broker statues sculptured by Ms. Sermin GUNER were placed at the entrance of the Stock Trading Floor and the visitor gallery where the former trading boards are located. The statues, representing the brokers engaged in executing orders are made in the honour of all existing and deceased brokers.
CERAMIC TILES OF THE ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE
A traditional Turkish art, ceramic tiles have embellished palaces, sacred places, inns, Turkish baths, fountains, and Islamic schools for centuries. Various utensils such as plates, cups, candles and vases also carried tile figures throughout the history of Turkish art.
The main component of ceramic tile is clay. Clay is initially refined, following which quartz and lime are added and thereby tile paste is prepared. This paste is casted into plates, baked at 700 to 1000° C. Now, the plates are ready to draw figures. Designs are put on the plates, circumscribed, and painted. In order to attain durability, plates are glazed with various methods such as spraying, dipping or sprinkling. After the glazing process, the plates are baked at 900 to 1000° C and therefore, the ceramic tile is ready.
Besides motives such as rose, carnation, tulip, hyacinth, rose bud, cypress, spring branch, cloud, "rumi", and "cintemani", various animal figures were used in ceramic tiles. These motives reflected the personal taste and interpretation of the artist, but did not contradict nature. A style was formed in time and classical motives were created which became a symbol of magnificent distinction and creative power.
Tiles with Clouds (1995)
100 cm
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for larger versions.
Baba Nakkas Tiles Panel
(1995) 100 cm
Tiles Panel With Birds (1995)
120 x 60 cm
Tiles Panel with Spring Branch (1994)
120 x 80 cm
Kufi Script "Masallah"
(1995) 60 x 60 cm
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