The exhibition uses AI (artificial intelligence) and AR (augmented reality)
technologies as an organic part of the creative process.
Outa, an Unconventional Story. Pim believes in the freedom of stepping outside the norms, of straying from the herd, and in the power of a quietly burning fire. With determination, Pim knows that other worlds and paths are possible. Separate from the herd, defying the herds…
VIEW MOREHumanity's effort to understand and make sense of existence is a journey that carries continuity for me. The transformative moments I experience on this journey have opened the doors to both inner discovery and witnessing the mystery of being. Ibn Arabi's approach, which defines humanity as a limitless being positioned under the celestial dome and upon the earth, lies at the center of my work. In this context, by following the trace of a perception that turns toward what lies beyond the visible, I focus on investigating humanity's limitless potential—unknown but with strong signs of existence—through a visual language.
Mythological memory, collective consciousness, and traces of ancient geographies form the fundamental building blocks of my works. This quest has directed me toward the archetypal memory of Mesopotamia and Anatolia. I strive to develop an aesthetic language that aims to make the voice of the past visible in today's images.
This process, which begins with satellite imagery, aims to make historical memory, cultural traces, and mythological figures visible. In the series titled Mana Gaia Narratives, I view these ancient geographies from above, working the figures that emerge within natural forms with pointillism technique and gold leaves, like a kind of embroidery. Thus, while bringing the viewer together on a plane of meaning where past and present intersect, I aim to include them in a perceptual field that oscillates between the layers of time, positioned at the intersection of historical memory and contemporary visual language, offering a multi-layered aesthetic experience.
What I seek in my relationship with technology is not merely a tool, but a conceptual field of inquiry. I position AI systems at the boundary between points determined by human intuition and algorithmic production. The images produced by this intelligence interact with the forms and themes I select, revealing a new visual language that questions the boundaries between chance and intention. In this process, human-machine collaboration becomes a model of aesthetic production.
AR (augmented reality) technology provides us with the possibility of establishing not only a viewing experience but also a sensory connection with visual narrative. This layer, where figures come alive with movement and expression, transforms the viewer from being merely an observer into an intuitive partner of the narrative. Thus, a temporary but intense contact is established between the two-dimensional surface and the technological interface.
The fundamental thought shaping my art practice is that on this unique planet we are guests of, humanity is both connected to all living beings and harbors a consciousness that penetrates the universe on micro and macro scales. This connection established between the universe within us and the galaxies is not merely a poetic metaphor for me, but an ontological reality felt through art. Satellite imagery, AI, or AR... All of these are tools I use to recontextualize infinity.
While the technological systems we create add new dimensions to our perception and understanding, my art practice becomes a reflection of expanding consciousness and a vehicle for my search for meaning.
Elvan Asarkaya
Born in İzmir, Turkey, 1970
2022–present
Proficiency in Art (PhD in Art Practice), Department of Painting, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Ankara
2015–2020
MFA in Visual Arts, Painting, Accademia di Belle Arti FIDIA, Italy
1987–1993
BFA in Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir
2025
Archēnode, Solo Exhibition, Nelumbo Studios, İstanbul
Degrowth, Group Exhibition, Gallery Su, Küçükköy, Ayvalık
Mana – Gaia Narratives II, Solo Exhibition, The Art Capsule Gallery, Istanbul
2024
Mana – Gaia Narratives I, Solo Exhibition, Mardin Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, Mardin
2021
First Prize, Alaşiya Visual Arts Competition, Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts
Sculpture: Alaşiya: Woman and Power, Ankara, Turkey
2020
Graduation Exhibition, Frescoes: Saints of Turkey, Vibo Valentia, Italy
2018
Wall Painting Project: Historical Episodes, San Giovanni in Fiore Abbey Basilica, Cosenza, Italy
2008–2009
Lecturer, Istanbul Kültür University, Faculty of Art and Design
Courses taught: Digital Design (1st–3rd year students), Department of Communication and Design
2019–2020
Classical Byzantine Iconography, Associazione Byzarticon, Rome
2015–2019
Art conservation and replica production projects in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Italy and the University of Calabria (Department of Earth Sciences & Cultural Heritage)
Focus on ancient stone artifact restoration and museum reproduction techniques
2001–2007
Founder and Creative Director of İdeapolist Digital Media Services, Istanbul
Corporate design, digital media production, and creative consultancy