Vladimir Us
artist & curator
http://www.oberliht.org.md
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 18:00:43 +0200
Subject: Workshop in Istanbul
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Please circulate this information amongst your art, design and architecture
contacts that would take an interest in the free workshop mentioned below.
People who are interested to participate or who would like to receive more
information are asked to send an email to [email protected] and
[email protected]
What?
Dutch artist Teike Asselbergs and architect-designer Asli Kiyak organize a
workshop in Istanbul focusing on how designers can collaborate within the
network of small producers in the Light District of Şişhane. Results from the
workshops will be exhibited at various locations in Şişhane.
When?
>From 3 till 11 October 2009. The exhibition and workshop will be part of the
>Galata Visibility Project on 10 October 2009. During the period of the
>workshop also the Istanbul Biennale will be open to the public.
Costs?
Participants pay their meals and flight tickets themselves, but the organizers
of the workshop intend to house participants at residencies of local designers
which means accommodations is free or very low cost. The workshop itself is
free for individual participants. However institutions like Universities and
Art academies are asked to contribute some money.
For Whom?
The workshop is open to (master) students and professionals in art,
architecture and design. Prior knowledge of lighting is not required.
Participants are also encouraged to think out-of-the(light)box and use the
materials and techniques available in the district in another way. Bachelor
students can join if they come with a professor that can help them, or when
they are selected after sending us their motivation to participate.
Şişhane
The workshop takes place in Şişhane, the district in Istanbul specialized in
light production, close to the landmark Galata tower. Şişhane has about 10.000
studios and shops specialised in light and electricity and has been the light
producing district of Turkey for more than 100 years. It was here that the
first electrical light came to Turkey and streetlamps were first installed.
Because the district was close to the Galata Port, a 19th century type 'Silicon
Valley' developed where the new technology came ashore. During the workshop
participants learn to see the social and commercial networks in the district.
Small producers
In one week designers, artists and architects are introduced to the unique
production network of small producers in the district. Each producer has a
workshop specialized in one item, material or a whole range of materials and
techniques. Most master-craftspeople use simple machines for manipulation of
their materials. When an order for 100 lamps comes in one studio makes the foot
of the lamps, another the ironwork in the lampshade, yet another the covering
of the lampshades in textile etc. The producers self-organize and divide the
work. There are also networks that are interdependent on the network of
producers: tea-men, people who carry loads from one location to another or
those who retrieve money from other shops or studios, bookkeepers and
salespeople working in the district. Together they form one big production
network in a very small area. During the workshop participants are assisted to
collaborate with this production network.
Commercial networks
Pre-capitalist and capitalist cultures mix in Şişhane. Shopkeepers tell
customers that they should go to another shop where the item they want is
cheaper, or give unasked negative advice about items they themselves have on
sale. It is very usual that when a customer comes into a shop and requires
about an item that the shop does not have in stock or on sale, a person from
the shop goes out and takes the item from another shop in the district, in the
meanwhile the customer is served free tea or coffee. Sometimes the owner of the
shop even closes his shop and walks with the customer to another shop where the
item is for sale. Upon return of the shop-keeper who 'borrowed' the requested
item from the other shop, sells the item to the customer. Later in the day an
apprentice of the other shop visits all the shops that 'borrowed' products for
clients and either retrieves the money or the product. Whole streets are lined
with similar looking shops and the shops are not only on street level but all
the way up to the 10th floor of buildings, most of which were originally
houses.
Further aims of the workshop
Working in Şişhane will help participants understand how to produce design in
the setting of an area of small producers. Your design will contribute to the
sustainability of the district: there is a lot of knowledge about lightning in
the district that is now used for traditional local products that are
increasingly loosing market share to cheap Chinese imports. The advance of
tourism in the area also poses both threats and opportunities to Şişhane.
Because of its flexibility and ability to produce more complex designs in small
series, learning how to work with designers and creating added value through
design, will help the unique production network in the district to survive.
Friendly regards,
Teike Asselbergs
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