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The Children of Başak Add Colour To The City!

2005, Istanbul, Parallel event to 9th International Istanbul Biennial

In collaboration with artists Türkan Akkulak Koç, Sibel Akkulak, Esin Turan, Renee Reijnders, Gillian Smith, Metin Yergin, Gozde Zehnder

Material: metal, paper, paint, and varnish

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In Kadıköy, in the neighbourhood of Kayışdağı, where there are not enough facilities for children, a playground area was designed and constructed with the children.

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The aim of the project was to get children involved in an art process that they would own while creating something long-lasting. The project took place in Kayısdagi on an empty piece of land opposite the office of the Basak Art and Culture Foundation. With the participation of children from different neighbourhoods, Merdivenköy and Fikirtepe children worked on their own children's playground. The children created a space with the collaboration of artists, and they built a barrack, a ramp, and a seating area. 

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This study aims to create a bond, a feeling of belonging, and urban awareness among the children of disadvantaged neighbourhoods and the city. It also aims to form playgrounds and art workshops, hoping to set an example for similar projects in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The children who took part in the project were aged 7 -14. With the participation of 20-30 children every day, a total of 300 children, the project was completed between 10 September and 2 October 2005.

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