Actor Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan's first exhibition, Noksan, featuring photographs he took in different parts of the world, has opened to art lovers at Lee Art Project in Polat Piyalepaşa Çarşı. The exhibition features 32 works.
In his works, Taylan invites viewers to look beyond what is visible in the frame and complete what remains unseen. Photographs taken at different times create a thematic unity in the exhibition.
Taylan does not consider himself a photographer
Taylan said he took photographs without having an exhibition idea or purpose in mind and did not define himself as a photographer. He explained that he took only as many photographs as he needed for himself, and that the idea for the exhibition emerged after Ece Yıldırım, the owner of Lee Art and the exhibition's curator, saw the photographs.
Taylan said the 32 works were brought together through Yıldırım's selection. The artist said the photographs share emotions shaped around the concepts of “space,” “shortfall” and “absence,” adding that he believes searching for what is missing has a complementary aspect.
He sees photography as a means of self-expression
Taylan said he believed life was imperfect in its entirety and had never thought that his work had to be flawless. He said pursuing perfection could involve arrogance and a lack of self-awareness.
Taylan said the exhibition should be viewed not as a claim to being a photographer or photographic artist, but as an effort to share meaning. He said he regarded acting, cinema, television and writing, as well as photography, as means of expressing himself.
Taylan said he did not go out into the streets with the aim of taking photographs, explaining that while traveling in different places, certain frames caught his attention depending on his mood and the issues he was experiencing at the time. He described the exhibition as the result of his relationship with these frames.
He considers the relationship with viewers special
Taylan said the exhibition did not promise visitors a specific meaning and that he did not expect the works to be understood in any particular way. He said the relationship between a work of art and its viewer was entirely personal, adding that each visitor could see something different through their own experience and knowledge.
The Noksan exhibition will be open to visitors at Lee Art Project until October 30. Half of the proceeds from sales held as part of the exhibition will be donated to help meet the needs of children undergoing cancer treatment.
