At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) held in Antalya, hosted by Türkiye, efforts to popularize the Zero Waste Movement internationally, led by Emine Erdoğan, stand out. The ARTIK exhibition, which opened simultaneously with the conference, brings the reuse of waste to the agenda through the language of art.
The exhibition held at Gloria Serenity Resort, hosted by Gloria Hotels & Resorts, in cooperation with Akfen Holding and with the contributions of Loft Art, includes 19 works produced by 6 artists from Çanakkale, Eskişehir and Izmir, using end-of-life materials such as metal, cable, rubber and glass.
All of the works in the exhibition were produced by upcycling, that is, by giving new value to waste materials. Animal sculptures made from waste were placed in a forest created with approximately 5 thousand leaves obtained by recycling waste metals and branches carried by the southwest wind to the shore.
THINGS WE FORGET WHEN MEASURING PROGRESS
Pelin Akın Özalp, Member of the Board of Directors of Akfen Holding, said, "We have always measured progress by what we produce and what we build. However, the legacy of a civilization also includes the resources it consumes and the traces it leaves behind in nature. We know past civilizations from the items they left behind today. One of the things that will tell about our age centuries later may be our waste. We wanted to make you think about this possibility with the ARTIK exhibition."
Özalp explained the starting point of the exhibition as follows:
"The materials we discarded as waste have turned into a forest in the hands of artists. Whatever project we implement from now on, we must plan from the very beginning how we will transform the resulting waste, just like in this exhibition. It is the responsibility of all of us to leave a livable world for ourselves and those after us. That is why the decisions to be taken at COP31, hosted by Türkiye, are of vital importance. Let future generations remember us for what we can protect as much as for what we have built."
NATURE'S CALENDAR IS LONGER THAN OURS
Özaltın Holding Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Elif Özdemir Şankaya stated that they were happy to host the exhibition during the COP31 process and cited a centuries-old terebinth tree in one of their facilities as an example.
Şankaya said, "It was there before us, we hope it will be there long after us. Our seasons and budget periods do not mean anything to it. This tree also has a share in our seeing sustainability in tourism as a responsibility beyond the operation."
Şankaya continued his words as follows:
"Nature's calendar also works for what we throw away. We want a tree to live for centuries, but we do not want a cable or a metal piece we throw away to remain in nature for centuries. The artists at ARTIK have transformed these discarded materials into works of art. We see the face of the circular economy meeting art here."
THE EXHIBITION CAN NOW BE VISITED UNTIL NOVEMBER 29
Hotel guests and guests will be able to visit the exhibition, which will be open until 29 November, between 9-20 November, when COP31 continues. Those who want to come from outside the hotel between 21-29 November will be able to request a visit by contacting the hotel management in advance. Requests will be evaluated according to the hotel's operational suitability.
