Türkiye: A Beacon of Digital Arts
Türkiye has always been a a land of rich artistic traditions, with its history shaped by a mix of different cultures and eras. Whether it’s the beautiful patterns of Ottoman tiles or the stunning calligraphy found in ancient manuscripts, Turkish art has always been admired for its elegance and depth.
In recent years, Türkiye has seen a remarkable evolution in its digital art scene, driven by the collaborative efforts of artists, curators, academics, and institutions. The country has become a vibrant hub for digital art, bridging tradition and innovation.
This transformation has been driven by a deep-rooted cultural heritage and a new wave of technological advancement. From the early days of computer art exhibitions to pioneering digital projects today, Türkiye's digital art scene has experienced a remarkable transformation.
Despite this progress, the path has not been without obstacles. In the face of socio-economic challenges, including political upheavals, natural disasters, and rapid technological changes, Türkiye’s digital artists continued to thrive by embracing opportunities created by local municipalities, global platforms, and technological innovations.
This article explores the rise of digital art in Türkiye, examining how traditional artistic practices have merged with cutting-edge technology to inspire a new generation of Turkish digital artists. It highlights key milestones, ongoing challenges, and the promising future of digital art in a country where creativity and innovation continue to thrive.
FRACTAL ISTANBUL - HAYDARPASA PANORAMA by Tarık Tolunay
A Rich History of Artistic Tradition
To understand the contemporary digital art scene in Türkiye, it’s essential to appreciate the historical context that shaped its artistic culture. Turkish art has a long history, dating back to the Byzantine Empire and evolving through the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.
Ottoman art, especially, is famous for its detailed tile work, impressive architecture, and beautiful calligraphy. The Ottoman Emperor Süleyman was a notable patron of the arts during his reign. He and his court commissioned a vast array of artworks, including manuscripts, jeweled vessels, silks, and painted ceramics.
Their patronage was instrumental in establishing the high standards and creativity that defined Middle Eastern art in the 16th century. Artists like Osman Hamdi Bey, who blended traditional Ottoman art with European styles, played a big part in shaping Türkiye’s visual culture.
Fast forward to the early 20th century, and Türkiye was undergoing major changes under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic. Atatürk was a strong believer in technological advancement and innovation, pushing for reforms that emphasized education, science, and technology as the foundation for progress. This blend of traditional artistry and forward-thinking innovation helped shape the rich visual culture of Türkiye, paving the way for the country’s modern creative scene.
Atatürk’s vision for modernization set the stage for future generations to embrace new technologies. This spirit of innovation continued to influence Turkish society, paving the way for the integration of digital technologies into various fields, including the arts.
These strong artistic traditions have laid the groundwork for today’s creativity, inspiring modern Turkish artists as they explore new media and techniques. By mixing the traditional with the innovative, they’re opening up fresh and exciting paths for the future of Turkish art, ensuring that the country’s rich cultural heritage continues to thrive in the digital age.
The Cosmic Symphony: Eternal Reckoning, 2023 by Kübra Su Yıldırım
The Evolution of New Media Arts in Türkiye
New media practices in Türkiye have evolved significantly since their early days, with roots tracing back to the first exhibition in this field, “Computer Art: The Works of the Ars Intermedia Group,” held at Istanbul Technical University in 1975. This event at the Faculty of Architecture not only marked the beginning of Türkiye's journey into digital art, but also led to the establishment of an MA program in Computer Technologies in Design. This program offered a perspective that went beyond what was typically available in Visual Communication Design departments, opening the door for a new generation of digital artists.
Early pioneers such as Teoman Madra, Hamdi Telli, Nil Yalter, architect Ilhan Mimaroğlu, and composer Bülent Arel were instrumental in laying the foundation for digital art in Türkiye. Their contributions inspired a wave of artists like Genco Gülan, Orhan Cem Çetin, Server Demirtaş, and Murat Germen, who advanced digital art during its early stages in the country.
Despite these early initiatives, it wasn’t until the late 2000s that digital art started gaining substantial visibility in Türkiye’s art scene. The internet and globalization began reshaping the cultural landscape – young people were eager to explore new opportunities and they embraced the digital age with enthusiasm, finding new avenues for creative expression through online communities and digital platforms.
2006 marks a pivotal moment when Ekmel Ertan and Aylin Kalem, colleagues at Bilgi University, organized the TECHNE Digital Performance Platform. This festival was the first of its kind in Türkiye, featuring a small exhibition, seminars, dance performances, and workshops on new media. The event attracted attention from young artists and students, signaling a growing interest in digital and new media arts.
In 2010, the Pera Museum hosted the ‘’Japanese Media Arts Festival,’’ and Borusan presented ‘’Matter-Light’’ in 2010 and 2011 – though these exhibitions did not fully represent the Turkish Media Art scene, they were significant events that helped bring the medium into the mainstream. A more notable event was Lalin Akalan’s “Affective State,” held in the historic Tophane-i Amire quarters during the 2011 Istanbul Biennial. As the first exhibition of its kind, it comprehensively explored immersive art and showcased emerging digital artists, helping to elevate the profile of digital art in Türkiye.
Around 2014, as digital art continued to grow, a sense of uncertainty about its place in the traditional art world led to the rise of independent art initiatives. Artists who felt misunderstood within conventional circles began to create their own platforms for dialogue and exploration, fostering a vibrant and authentic digital art scene in Türkiye. This period marked an exciting and transformative chapter in the evolution of digital art, paving the way for the diverse and dynamic practices we see today.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞 by Esra Eslen: Esra Eslen is only one of the digital artists who made their mark in the crypto-art world especially since the boom in 2021, engaging with a wider audience in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Socioeconomic Challenges Fueling Creativity
Despite the successful development of Türkiye’s digital art scene through the joint efforts of artists, curators, academics, initiatives, and institutions, it’s impossible to disregard the significant obstacles the country has been facing, including political uprisings, a military coup attempt, and devastating natural disasters.
Many independent artists, disheartened by insufficient support, opted to move abroad and gained recognition internationally. Others, thrived in Türkiye.
The period where Turkish digital artists experienced a golden age of creativity and innovation coincides with an era defined by political upheaval, mass protests, and economic crises. With the rising influence of social media, young artists found global communities to thrive in and started feeling hopeful and inspired. Despite having limited resources, it thrived in its purest form, capturing the essence of artistic creativity.
In a society where traditional art forms such as painting or sculpture might not always receive encouragement, particularly in families that prioritize “serious” careers, digital art provided a new creative outlet. While families might not support the purchase of oil paints and canvases, they were more likely to provide access to computers and smartphones for educational purposes, which young artists could use to create digital art. This shift enabled a new generation of artists to explore their creativity beyond the constraints of traditional materials and societal expectations.
That’s how digital art became a playground for boundless creativity in Türkiye – with no established rules or guidelines, artists were free to experiment, push boundaries, and redefine artistic expression. The absence of traditional constraints fostered an environment where every experiment was a possibility, and creativity flourished in unexpected ways.
Another factor contributing to Türkiye’s flourishing digital art scene is the country’s embrace of the crypto revolution. Due to the volatility of the Turkish lira, many individuals turned to alternative financial avenues, including cryptocurrencies. This shift has created a fertile ground for the growth of NFT art, allowing Turkish artists to thrive in a new digital economy.
Which brings us to the historical moment a few months ago, when the Turkish art duo Ouchhh made headlines by sending the first NFT artwork to the moon. This marks the first time of an AI art being displayed on the lunar surface. The event has been celebrated as the fusion of art and space exploration as well as the limitless potential of AI in creating art beyond Earth's boundaries.
Notable Digital Art Organizations and Initiatives in Türkiye
Istanbul, Türkiye’s cultural capital, has embraced this digital art revolution with open arms. The city boasts a range of contemporary and digital art museums that attract art lovers from around the world. These institutions play a vital role in showcasing Türkiye’s growing digital art scene and fostering a global dialogue about contemporary creativity.
The municipality of Istanbul puts significant effort into promoting the field – establishing new digital art museums, supporting new media festivals, and opening digital experience venues, the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul is dedicated to promoting and featuring works produced by artists, designers, and agencies in the field of digital art.
One of such initiatives is the post-industrial site of Çubuklu Silos – following a restoration project initiated by the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul, Çubuklu Silos has recently become a cultural center dedicated to digital arts.
Ars Electronica and Piksel Creative Solutions presented the museum’s inaugural exhibition, RE COGNITION: WHAT IS REAL? – merging Ars Electronica’s exploration of technology’s societal impact through art with Piksel’s dedication to local media art initiatives, the collaboration highlights community engagement.
Each year, Istanbul Digital Art Festival (IDAF) brings together artists and digital creatives from around the globe to explore how technology reshapes art and, in turn, our human experience. Artists at IDAF are encouraged to push the limits of what digital art can be. From immersive AV performances to interactive installations, they challenge visitors to rethink concepts of identity and reality in the digital age.
Whether it’s through virtual reality, augmented reality, or AI-driven art, the festival offers a space where visitors can explore new worlds, question established norms, and see just how far the creative possibilities of digital tools can go. It’s a vibrant mix of art, music, and games, as well as workshops for children and youth, panels, and audiovisual performances.
As one of Türkiye’s leading contemporary art museums, Istanbul Modern has been instrumental in promoting new media and digital art. The museum’s exhibitions often feature cutting-edge works from both Turkish and international artists, reflecting the dynamic nature of the global art scene.
Istanbul Modern has recently celebrated the opening of their new building with a commissioned installation by Refik Anadol. Titled “Infinity Room: Bosphorus,” the site-specific installation uses machine learning to turn real-time environmental data from the Bosphorus into mesmerizing digital art.
Refik Anadol is also featured in 10 Digital Artists: Immersive Art Experiences
The X Media Art Museum (XMAM) is Türkiye’s first digital art and new media museum that’s established in 2022 in collaboration with the performance center, DasDas. The museum, curated by Esra Özkan, showcases digital artworks that offer interactive, interdisciplinary experiences across multiple and expanded scales.
By integrating creative industries and cultural art stakeholders, XMAM aims to provide fresh perspectives in fields such as kinetic art, new media, bio-design, algorithmic art, bio-art, performance arts, AR, VR, and XR. XMAM not only connects with professionals, young artists, academics, and engineers but also focuses on integrating key cultural policies, including gender equality, archiving, and green energy, into its operations.
Sónar Istanbul stands out as one of the festivals dedicated to Türkiye's digital art scene, merging music, technology, and creativity. Originated in Barcelona and expanded globally, Sónar has firmly established itself in Türkiye and has become a key event for exploring the intersection of art and technology.
Held annually at Zorlu PSM, this event brings together artists, technologists, and creative thinkers from around the world to explore new frontiers in digital media. Each year, the festival presents a free and accessible program of panels, workshops, and talks that explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and interactive art.
YouTube Video Series: Dijital Sanatta Şimdi (Digital Art Now)
The YouTube video series “Digital Art Now” offers a comprehensive examination of contemporary digital art, diving into topics such as the Metaverse, artificial intelligence, and generative art, and is launched by Akbank Sanat, a prominent art institution in Türkiye.
This video series is dedicated to exploring the evolving landscape of digital art through in-depth discussions and insights. Each episode provides a platform for experts and creators to discuss these subjects, help viewers navigate the world of new media, and explore the innovative possibilities that lie ahead.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Digital Experience Museum opened in February 2024, with a focus on blending history, technology, and art. The museum features interactive exhibitions that utilize cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and hyper-reality.
Designed to showcase both global and local creativity, the museum provides a multi-dimensional exploration of art, blending traditional museology with modern technological possibilities. This unique venue offers an immersive experience into the future of art and technology, appealing to audiences of all ages.
The artist duo Ha:ar established the digital art fair, Noise Fair, with the support of the Istanbul Municipality. Noise_Media Art is Türkiye’s inaugural international art fair that’s dedicated to media art.
The fair seeks to unite top artists, galleries, institutions, and art experts at the intersection of art and technology. Created to address the demand for a global event focused on media art, the fair envisions a realm where technology, art, and music converge harmoniously.
Kalyon Kültür is a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to supporting cultural production through multi-disciplinary programs. Located in the historically and architecturally significant Taş Konak in Nişantaşı, Kalyon Kültür aims to foster and promote cultural activities beyond a fixed location by developing collaborations across various regions.
Their programming often includes digital art, reflecting their commitment to integrating contemporary art forms into their cultural initiatives. Curatorial efforts led by Ceren and Irmak Arkman provides valuable platforms for introducing fresh discourses into the digital art sphere.
These organizations, museums, and festivals not only celebrate the achievements of Turkish artists but also attract tourists and digital art enthusiasts from around the world. The vibrant art scene in Istanbul has become a significant draw for visitors, contributing to the city’s reputation as a global cultural destination.
The Future of Digital Arts in Türkiye
The evolution of Türkiye into a digital art hub is a testament to the country’s ability to adapt and innovate. From its rich artistic heritage to its embrace of modern technology, Türkiye has created a thriving environment where digital art can flourish.
The rise of digital art in Türkiye reflects a broader trend of creative exploration and experimentation. With no established rules and an open landscape for artistic expression, Turkish digital artists are pushing the boundaries of what art can be. The combination of traditional influences, technological advancements, and a supportive cultural environment has positioned Türkiye as a beacon of digital arts, attracting global attention and inspiring creativity.
As Türkiye continues to embrace new technologies and artistic forms, the future of digital art in the country looks bright. The ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation will undoubtedly lead to even more exciting developments in the world of digital creativity. For now, Türkiye stands as a shining example of how a rich artistic heritage can merge with modern technology to create a dynamic and flourishing art scene.
Read next:
10 Digital Artists: Turkish Artists You Should Know
10 Digital Artists: Immersive Art Experiences
Art Patron: Definition and Significance in the Digital Art World
Glitch Art 101: Creatively embrace digital errors
What do you think about the digital art scene in Türkiye? Let us know in the comments and join the discussion.
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