We walk on the cobblestone pavements that we have walked so many times before with the eagerness of finding a familiar face. We come to Balat, the place where we never get tired of sitting on the pavement and watching the neighbourhood from among the colourful apartment buildings. We meet&nbsp;Neslişah&nbsp;(Kaya).We come to&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/zoksstudio?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=&utm_source=aposto" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Zoks Studio</a>&nbsp;to get covered in mud, to talk about the sound of the neighbourhood, and to see Istanbul through the eyes of a painter and ceramics expert. In front of us, mud, scraper, and work that has not yet decided whether it should be a vase or a glass, in our hands, warm coffees in cups hand-made by Neslişah. Come sit with us, we're starting.&nbsp;<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">ID</h2>My nickname: Çimenkuşu-MeadowbirdI recently discovered this ceramic artist: Şirin CeramicsI am a regular at:&nbsp;Vanilla BalatThose who don't live in Istanbul wouldn't know: The trafficI live in: BalatIn my heart, I am from:&nbsp;Ayvalık<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">SHOOT THE BREEZE</h2>You live in the same place you create. What effect does this dynamic, Balat and Istanbul have on your production?Balat is a very diverse neighbourhood and this is of course reflected in my production. Since I produce industrial works in addition to my artistic works, a colour or a texture that I encounter on the streets, which I never get bored by, shapes my works, sometimes it can even turn into patterns on the products. The process can sometimes get even deeper when I hop on the ferry and cross to the Anatolian side, or when I take the metro bus to change neighbourhoods. Istanbul is a city that nourishes people in general, and the culture of each neighbourhood tells us something based on our perspective. Because we are in a constant marathon, we have to struggle. If we have to produce and make a living simultaneously, if we are artists or craftspeople, we need to recognise the finest details wherever we look.I was always sure that one day I would live in Balat. Even after settling here in 2018, we have visibly developed and we are still growing every day. Of course, there are disadvantages to this. As good and nourishing as it is to share the same environment with people from different cultures and live all together, it is also a situation that we are not used to and can sometimes lead to chaos. For me, what makes Balat Balat is its artists, workshops, and the transformation of the neighbourhood into a destination for the arts.<img lazy="loading" src="https://images.aposto.com/1200xauto/2022/9/5/1665748920609.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.67" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Zoks Studio</h4><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">Have you produced collective works with different craftspeople and artists before? Do you benefit from each other in this structure?I make architectural panels, decorative works, and wall paintings. I can experience every aspect of the pleasure of producing together thanks to this structure of multiplicity. Not everyone can see the same detail. Producing together ensures that the end product is holistically strong and complete. None of us are perfect and we never will be, but at the end of the day, sharing adds layers to that which is produced.&nbsp;I usually prefer to produce alone. I shared my first exhibition experience with my teacher Kenan Özgür, who had a great influence on me before university, it was very special. Afterward, I took part in many group exhibitions. In the coming days, we are planning to open an exhibition as the ceramicists of the neighbourhood. I hope we will meet again in the neighbourhood on this occasion.How is the transformation of the neighbourhood reflected in their works? What do you think awaits Balat in this sense?This popularisation was a bit unsettling for me at first, I was never concerned about making money while producing, I find myself under terrible stress of fulfilling orders from time to time, and I increase my production speed in order to keep up. The consciousness of consuming fast was tiring me, I felt that it was jeopardising the sustainability of my process, so I stopped myself. Each piece that emerges is a simple expression of how we see the world, and how we want to see it, and it is unique, so it must be produced with patience.&nbsp;Most of my visitors are foreign tourists. In fact, we all know that 'making and producing art in Turkey' is definitely very difficult. I face this, again and again, every day with people's reactions to me. It can sometimes feel guilty to put a price on the work we do, sometimes it is even hard to get past it. Of course, it is a good thing that the art/work we do is increasing. There is no end to this, just like there is no end to learning. As we grow, we share more, and we enrich ourselves by feeding each other.&nbsp;

I like strolling around Meşrutiyet Street after midnight. Especially when it’s a weekday and therefore wholly empty. I can imagine a crowd from any period of time. It’s a date with history. It’s the center of the world for a moment. I always stop by and stand in front of the Palazzo Corpi, the palazzo&nbsp;designed by Italian architect Giacomo Leoni, for Ignazio Corpi. This magnificent building carries traces of Carrara and Istanbul. Just next to it rises&nbsp;Pera Palas Hotel, built by French architect Alexandre Vallaury to serve travelers arriving on the famed Orient Express. I take a moment to look at it to feel like I am in the early 1900s. Under the moon, I see the former Hotel Bristol, now the Pera Museum, which was built by the Greek architect Manoussos. I know the Nusretiye Clock Tower is waiting by the sea with her good old friend Tophane-i Amire. I feel like I am undoubtedly in the center of the world.&nbsp;Every night is followed by the day. I miss the night feeling when morning comes and I'm in the middle of kitsch coffee shops and new hotels. The Galata Tower&nbsp;is the background of the photos and I feel like I am far away from the sea and the good old days. But I know, every dawn has it's night.I didn’t write that wrong. Istanbul is a city that glows at night. You see the layers that you want to see. And when it’s dark, you find a way of turning on all the lights.&nbsp;A couple of days ago, MICHELIN Guide announced the restaurants they’ve selected in Istanbul for the first time. Even though the selection is controversial in many ways, I hope that it somehow helps to bring back the old glamorous days of the city and turn on the lights of the industry. And the city will become more vibrant where you feel like you're living in the heart of the world. Congratulations to every restaurant in the selection, especially Aheste and Mikla, the stars of Meşrutiyet Street, Neolokal, Pandeli, Giritli, Yeni Lokanta, Beyti, Sofyalı 9, and Araka. Check out <a fr-original-style="" href="https://goo.gl/maps/Eg8hfcmiGRGeGx416" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">the map</a> that includes all the restaurants in the selection.&nbsp;This week we met with Neslişah Kaya at her studio in Balat. We talked about the neighbourhood and its stars. Then we had late-lunch at Smelt&amp;Co.What’s next? Heading to Babylon is always a good idea, but now even better, Nilüfer Yanya is on stage. If we crave for Kürt Böreği, we know where to go. Follow us.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RsHoEyFKXnFLIqL49LAUh?si=2e48ed7c2d9b48c4" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Let’s make Istanbul great again!&nbsp;</a>Elif&nbsp;

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">A hall of fame in Ankara:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://baskent.kulturyolufestivalleri.com/?utm_source=aposto" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Başkent Culture Road Festival</a></h1>The Ankara edition of the Culture Road Festivals held by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Başkent Culture Road Festival is breathing new life into Ankara’s cultural landscape.The festival’s extensive program full of splendid performances, inspirational workshops, and thought-provoking exhibitions will continue until 23 October.What to see?<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">On 20 October, the superstar of Turkey, Ajda Pekkan will give an unforgettable concert at CSO Ada Ankara.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">One of the most prominent artists of Spain, Luz Casal will sing iconic love songs at CSO Ada Ankara on&nbsp;22 October.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Singer-songwriter Yusuf / Cat Stevens, also set to perform in Istanbul on 19 October, will be on stage at CSO Ada Ankara on 23 October for the closing concert of the festival.&nbsp;</li></ul>You may visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://baskent.kulturyolufestivalleri.com/?utm_source=aposto" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> to view the rest of the festival’s program.

16 Ekim - Başkent Kültür Yolu Festivali - İstanbul EN

A weekly, practical guide to Istanbul for those who want to make this city their neighborhood. Every Sunday. 

A weekly, practical guide to Istanbul for those who want to make this city their neighborhood.

Aposto Istanbul

Who knows? Is this the start of something wonderful and new? Maybe a glance, a touch, a dance. Or maybe it's just us, that makes this city shine. 

🌟 Shine bright like a 'star', Istanbul!

Kültür hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

Kültür

Yemek ve içecek hakkında yazılar ve yayınlar

Yemek & İçecek

Sanat hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

Sanat

Meet Neslişah (Kaya); a painter and ceramic master who lives, creates, discovers, recognises, and loves in Balat. And of course, she is an Istanbulite.