Borusan Contemporary Art Collection V.1

Giriş: A. Ahmet Kocabıyık & Thomas Krens

Metinler: R. Sachsse, J. Jäger, C. Paul, M. Franke, F. Üstek, A. Antmen, N. Sönmez.

Fotoğraflar: Ahmet Ertuğ & Arnaud Conne

İngilizce

179s., 31.5x41 cm

İpek kumaş ciltli; özel kutu içinde 

Published by Ertuğ & Kocabıyık Publishing, the first volume of Borusan Contemporary Art Collection books is now available for art enthusiasts. It is an important resource for those interested in media art, as it outlines the 30-year collecting practice of the Borusan Contemporary.

From the foreword

Thoughts on collection, sharing, and museums

A certain painting comes to mind when reflecting back on my years as an art enthusiast and collector. This painting inspired such passion in me that I think it was one of the reasons for my burgeoning interest in art. I had just returned from the military service in 1982 when I saw the work of a Turkish artist, Kemal Önsoy, at a friend’s home. I was so fascinated by this work that I wanted to go and see the artist in his environment. I wanted to explore and find out how he could create such a piece. A couple of months later, I got the chance to visit the artist with my friend. As I took in my first glimpses, it became apparent to me that I was about to enter a new and alternate world, somewhere that was entirely unfamiliar to me. It was a thrilling moment. I had bought a lot of drawings and prints before, but this one was different.

Until then, every piece of art that I’d acquired had a common denominator; they were all painted with brushes. I thought that was just a standard feature in paintings. But as I looked around Kemal Önsoy’s atelier, I realized there were no brushes to be found. All I could see was a large canvas lying horizontally on a huge table. The artist was pouring acrylic paint on to the canvas and dispersing it by carefully moving a precision cut wooden piece. This resulted in colorful abstract silhouettes made up of layers upon layers of paint. The shapes did not seem like much at first glance, but I felt they had mysterious characteristics distinguishing them. I could identify figures of animals, humans, and extraordinary creatures in his paintings. I remember gazing at them when the painting was put up in my office, and letting it guide my mind to wander to far off places.

Twenty-eight years after this unique experience, my journey for art continues, albeit even more intensely. Discovering and acquiring art is my passion. Uncovering new techniques, new materials, new forms, new artists—these fuel this passion.