The Fruits of Curiosity
The Fortuny Museum in Venice offers a journey through the creative mindset of the Spanish artist, couturier and polymath Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo Author: Serra Oruç Considered by some to…
The Rich Hues of Heritage
Lucien Arkas, Turkish chairman of the multinational conglomerate Arkas Holding, has been a lifelong collector of the arts. The carpets of his homeland have held a particular fascination for him,…
Knot by Knot, Row by Row
Jan Kath’s rise to eminence in the field of contemporary carpet design has been a complex process of absorbing diverse influences. But, as he explains, while remaining ever-open to ideas…
Entwined Roots
A recent exhibition in Istanbul explored what is unique to the separate cultures of India and Türkiye, but also what is shared. Its chief curator, Serra Oruç, explains the significance…
A Deep Sense of Joy and Connection
Gallery Aydin was launched in the late 1990s. Having evolved into one of the largest rug dealerships in Türkiye, it has recently been rebranded as A & D Gallery. Here,…
Centuries of Meaning
Ilke Beyaz founded the bespoke rug studio Figure in 2020, following extensive experience in the media. She tells us what the motivation was, and how the ancient traditions of Anatolian…
The soft power of a textile show
An Indian extravaganza in Istanbul marked an emotional milestone in curator Serra Oruç’s lifelong passion for textiles In late November an exhibition I curated opened at Metrohan (the old Gare de…
Aklımda Bir Şey Vardı, Vazgeçtim
4 Şubat – 28 Mart tarihleri arasında Depo’da gerçekleşen “Aklımda Bir Şey Vardı” sergisi vesilesiyle sanatçı Gülçin Aksoy’u anma yazısı. 2022 yılında Merdiven Art Space’te açılan “Şefkat Nişanı” sergisinde tanıştık…
A Passion for the History and Art of Hereke Carpets
Alive speaks to Erhan Ör, CEO of third generation Hereke rug firm Han Halı, about the development of Hereke carpet designs and the history of the family company Interview: Serra…
The Alchemy of Warp and Weft Syrian and Lebanese Tapestry-Woven Textiles of the Ottoman Era
Alive speaks to experts in and collectors of Syrian and Lebanese tapestry-woven textiles Anas Al Akhoann and wife Sandre Blake Interview: Serra Oruç Anas, when did you arrive in the…