Within the framework of the COPArt Project, which brings together the fight against climate change with art, the entire COP31 area in Antalya is used as an open and closed art gallery.
Within the scope of the project, which brings the call to action for the climate to the field with different branches of art, from painting to exhibition, from panels to open-air installations, an exhibition and experience area COPArt Hub was created in the Green Zone in an area of 6 thousand 600 square meters.
Approximately 600 works, including examples of classical Turkish painting, calligraphy, Palestinian art, modern and contemporary works, as well as digital art and ecology-themed works, meet art lovers in this area.
The area, which includes works compiled from the world's important collections, not only brings together artistic productions related to climate change and environmental awareness, but also makes the cultural accumulation and social issues of different geographies visible through art.
"COPArt will be carried over to subsequent COPs"
COPArt Art Director Samed Karagöz told the AA correspondent that such an understanding was put forward for the first time in the history of COP and that this initiative was implemented by Türkiye.
Expressing their satisfaction with the attention the exhibition received from the UN, Karagöz stated that it was decided that the COPArt concept would also be included in future organizations.
Karagöz said, "The United Nations accepted this as a legacy and declared that they would continue it in the next COPs, at least in the next two." he said.
Explaining that in the project implemented with the theme "Still Possible", works from different art disciplines were brought together in a way that would relate to each other, Karagöz noted that they reserved a special place for examples from classical Turkish painting, calligraphy and Palestinian art.
Karagöz said, "These are works that show both our stance and our roots. We especially wanted to include them." he said.
It hosted approximately 17 thousand visitors
Stating that COPArt Hub attracted great interest from the participants, Karagöz stated that the visitor activity continued even when the Green Zone was closed to public visits for two days.
Stating that representatives, employees, senior managers and diplomatic delegations of the companies that opened stands in the fair area visited the exhibition during this process, Karagöz stated that the works were appreciated.
Karagöz said, "Approximately 17 thousand visitors have come since it was opened. But it was closed to the public for two days, which should not be ignored." he said.
Stating that different sections of the exhibition were prepared with separate curatorial approaches, Karagöz explained that the works of important artists of classical Turkish painting and outstanding examples of calligraphy were presented together.
Noting that the works of the leading names of Palestinian art were also included in the exhibition, Karagöz stated that in the modern and contemporary art section, works of artists from Türkiye and the world with the themes of environment, ecology, climate change and sustainability were included.
Karagöz stated that in the digital art section, the themes of popular culture and artistic interpretations of the topics discussed in this field are brought to the visitors.
Aims to be a voice to Palestine and Gaza with art
Karagöz stated that one of the important parts of the exhibition is the Palestine selection, and pointed out that art is a powerful tool of expression so that the events in Palestine and Gaza are not forgotten.
Explaining that they organized documentary days in Istanbul and Antalya Dokuma Park before COP31, Karagöz said that in these events, Palestinian documentary filmmakers presented their works that overlap with the environment and the themes of the COP to the audience.
Stating that Yusuf Aygeç's series titled "Posters for the Olive Tree in Exile" was also included in the exhibition, Karagöz stated that the work contains references to Palestine's poster design tradition and the poems of poet Mahmud Derviş.
Stating that the quotes in the series were selected from the works of Palestinian poet Mahmud Derviş, Karagöz noted that poster works were prepared based on the artist's line "Letters to the Olive Tree in Exile".
Karagöz stated that the poster design tradition created by Palestinians in the 1960s and 1970s also influenced the understanding of graphic design in Europe, and that Aygeç's works are a tribute to this knowledge.
Stating that the selection also included works by Palestinian painter Suleiman Mansur, who passed away recently, and Nabil Anani, one of the important names of Palestinian art, Karagöz said that they also included the works of younger generation Palestinian artists who produce in different disciplines.
Emphasizing that art plays an important role in announcing the events to the world and keeping the social memory alive, Karagöz said, "Our aim is to give a voice to Palestine. To make it a means to announce what happened in Palestine and what happened in Gaza." he said.
