Alanya – Stone Mason and Sculptor Symposium
- Written by Portal Editor
Alanya Sculptor Symposium – When I drive into Alanya for a holiday, I am greeted by stone sculptures just before reaching the city.
For the past six years, an international sculptor symposium has been held here every November, leaving its mark across the entire city.
The works span from the beautiful sculpture garden at Cleopatra Beach featuring my favourite piece by Antonella Tiozzo (www.art-3000.com/artist/?id=2509) all the way to the far end of the inviting, long beach promenade, extending into Kestel.
It is art that is wonderful to explore on foot... For several years now, I have been an admirer and photographer of these artists and their creations.
This year was particularly lovely... as I approached the artists' workspace at the end of the harbor, I was immediately invited for tea by Turkish sculptors Timucin and Sila such a warm and friendly welcome!
Alanya Sculptor Symposium – Opening ceremony and unveiling of the stone sculptures
From that day on, I returned almost daily to enjoy my Afyon Su with them before continuing along the beach to collect various pieces of driftwood and debris the fierce storms and thunderstorms had left plenty of "treasure" on the shore.
The Bayram party with the artists was a highlight; it was a chance to get to know everyone better in a relaxed atmosphere after all, working with stone is incredibly strenuous and intense, especially with granite. Only Sila, who co-organized the symposium with Beyan, worked with a softer material: marble.
She created a truly charming tower of elephants. The highlight was the opening reception, where one could admire the artworks... and chat with all the artists over a delicious Turkish buffet... It was a shame that so few tourists and foreign residents turned up!
It was such a lovely conclusion and afterwards, I often drove past the site feeling a touch of nostalgia and photographed the sculptures in various weather conditions and moods.
Karin Murad Merwanji
Many thanks for sharing these kind words about the Alanya Sculpture Symposium.
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