Istanbul university students transform stairs of hilly streets into art galleries
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E-mail Xinhua, October 6, 2020
ISTANBUL, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- A group of university students have been transforming some decayed stairs of hilly streets in Turkey's biggest city Istanbul into open-air art galleries.
In cooperation with the local municipality, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University recently launched a project to paint steps in the central Beyoglu district on the European side of the city with paintings of famous Turkish painters.
In line with the project, three young students decided to paint the stairs of Enli Hill in the Kabatas neighborhood three weeks ago.
"We have chosen to depict one of the art pieces of Osman Hamdi Bey, a world-famous Ottoman-era artist and intellectual," said 23-year-old Furkan Akan.
In 1906, Osman Hamdi Bey portrayed his French wife Marie in front of a red background with a yellow bouquet of mimosa and named it "Woman with Mimosas."
"We wanted to dedicate our work to the painter and honor him as he was one of the first founders of our university," Akan continued.
"The origin of this art piece, meanwhile, is on display in Istanbul State Art and Sculpture Museum, located right across the stairs," he added.
After selecting the painting, the trio started the process by demolishing the stairs from the top on down. Then they poured the concrete once again.
"We applied an insulation material and another cover of primer before starting painting the stairs," Akan added.
When all the work would be finished in a couple of days, the young artists will apply several other techniques to extend the durability of their paint as much as possible.
"We will do whatever necessary to make it resistant to all kinds of weather conditions," Akan said.
Now, sitting benches have been placed on both sides to convert this place into a charming living space.
"Previously, the set of stairs on the hill was not a place where many people visited," he said, but now the area became popular as many people come and take photos.
"That was our initial purpose, putting color to these kinds of public spaces with a touch of art," he said, noting that they would continue to transform some other stairs in the area as well. Enditem
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