212 Photography Istanbul, which brings Istanbul together with the international photography scene, held a special interview program focusing on the 200-year history of photography at Pera Museum before its ninth edition.
The event, which brought together photographers, academics, researchers, art professionals and photography enthusiasts, attracted great attention. In the sessions held throughout the day, a broad perspective ranging from the history of photography to current production practices was presented, while participants made comprehensive evaluations on the cultural, artistic and social effects of photography.
The program organized before the ninth edition of the festival, which will be held between 26 September and 11 October, shows that photography is not only a tool for image production; At the same time, it brought to the agenda once again that it is a powerful form of expression that plays an important role in shaping memory, culture and visual thought.
At the opening of the program, photographer, writer and Koç University Lecturer Orhan Cem Çetin and Assoc. Dr. In the session titled "200 Years of Photography: Recent History of Optical Culture" moderated by Burcu Böcekler, he evaluated the transformation of optical culture from the emergence of photography to the present and its effects on visual production practices.
In the "Value of Photography: Collection, Archive and Heritage" session moderated by Mercado's co-founder and Creative Director Yağız Genç, Borusan Contemporary Museum Director Kumru Eren and Curator and Photography Department Manager Demet Yıldız Dinçer discussed the role of photography in the preservation of cultural heritage, archiving practices and collection creation processes.
In the next session, the panel titled "The Power of Photography: From Recording the Sun to Contemporary Art", Galerist Evin Founder Osman Nuri İyem, artist Sinem Dışli and Assoc. Dr. Art Historian, Curator and Critic Fırat Arapoğlu evaluated the impact of photography from its historical roots to contemporary art production from different perspectives.
In the "Transition in Photography: Transition, Change and New Narratives" session held at the close of the program, Photographer Koray Birand and Youtuber İlker Canikligil discussed the transformation of photography in the axis of digitalization, new technologies and changing visual expression styles.
The program, which enabled fruitful exchange of ideas among the participants, stood out as an important meeting that bridged the past and future of photography. The program, which was one of the first events held within the scope of 212 Photography Istanbul's ninth year, signaled that the festival would strengthen its international platform focusing on current issues of photography this year as well.
212 Photography Istanbul will continue to bring together the current production areas of photography with art lovers with exhibitions, speeches, workshops and special events to be held in different parts of Istanbul between 26 September and 11 October.
