The Hungarian Cultural
Centre in Istanbul is hosting a new exhibition titled “Hungarian Design in
Turkey: Unrealized Hungarian Architecture from the Late Ottoman and Early
Modern Republican Periods.” The exhibition acts as a witness on behalf of
Turkey to an important shift in country’s architectural environment over the
course of the final period of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century alongside
the first half of the 20th century. Brought to life by scholars and researchers
from Hungary and Turkey alike, the exhibit builds a profile of the masterminds
behind Turkey’s modernist movement (particularly the construction of the
nation’s new capital of Ankara), evoking visitors to think about the period
under a different light.
The influence of the work of many a well-known German, French and Austrian
architect as well as Hungarian scientist and professional could be felt
throughout the first years of the Turkish Republic. For the first time ever
anywhere, the exhibition brings together the unrealized building plans and
projects of famous Hungarian architects envisioned for the late Ottoman Empire
and early Turkish Republic, and puts them in dialogue with one another. Another
of the exhibit’s aims is to compare the projects presented with Turco-German
architectural relations of the period within a historical framework. Visitors
can look at the sketches of potential important Istanbul and Ankara landmark
projects, and imagine how they might have looked like had they been realized.
Thanks to the support of the Gül Baba Tomb Heritage Preservation Foundation,
the exhibit also features a video prepared to animate the proposed projects.
Visitors likewise get to play the role of architectural jury, and will be able
to vote via a poll for the building they’d wish to see built. Also featured are
projects by prominent Turkish architects of the period, including Kemaleddin Bey,
Sedad Hakkı Eldem, Züt Başar, and Ekrem Hakkı Ayverdi. The exhibit is the
result of meticulous archival research completed in Turkey, Hungary, Italy and
Germany. Representing Budapest University of Technology and Economics’
Department of Architectural History and Historical Artefact Conservation, the
Istanbul Hungarian Cultural Centre, Yildiz Technical University, and the
Turkish Architectural Research Centre include Dr. Gergő Máté Kovács, Dr. Gábor
Fodor, Prof. Dr. Nur Urfalıoğlu, Asst. Prof. Dr. Zafer Sağdıç, Mehmet Emin
Yılmaz, Orkun Dayıoğlu, and Dr. Péter Rabb—all of whom have made many a major
contribution to the field.
Among the actual projects featured include the Soli Deo Gloria church in
Beyoğlu, Istanbul by Imre Henszlmann, commemorating fallen British soldiers of
the Crimean War; the project was submitted to a contest in 1856. Others
included are József Vágó’s proposed design for the Grand National Assembly of
Turkey (dated 1937), alongside Alfréd Bardon and Károly Dávid’s “Yelken”
projects, also submitted in 1937 for the International Harbour Visitor Hall
Design Competition in Karaköy. Viewers can also see draft sketch produced by
Ferenc Hillinger in 1938 for a house on the Istanbul Bosphorus, The Fenerbahçe
Kavala Hotel project, designed by LAKÓTERV (István Janáky, József Körner, Péter
Molnár, Antal Vass, and István Zilahy) in 1956, and “Workhouse” again designed
by the same team for the district of Ulus in 1957, albeit listed as an
apartment and office complex. The brainchild of Hungarian and Turkish
researchers, the exhibition will be open for public viewing until January 31,
2020. All health precautions considered.
With over twenty-six different venues in twenty-four different countries, the
Hungarian Culture Centre aims to spread the outstanding achievements of
Hungarian culture, enlightenment, and science around the world. This
international network of culture aims to nurture and build upon the cultural
values and relations fostered by Hungary and the Hungarian diaspora. The first
state institution abroad to sponsor Hungarian cultural activities was the
Hungarian Science Institute in Istanbul, the then Ottoman capital. Driven by
common historical and archaeological research between the two nations, the
Institute had held its first eve meeting on November 21, 1916. Today, many
consider this date is to be the birthday of institutionalized Hungarian
cultural diplomacy.
For more information: www.macarkulturmerkezi.com
