Tracing footprints from varied geographies, On the Road invites viewers to witness the universal story of humanity through the lenses of celebrated filmmaker and photographer Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
Dirimart announces Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s third solo exhibition at the gallery, On the Road, featuring a series of never-before-seen portraits by the artist.
On the Road showcases portraits captured by Ceylan in diverse regions across the globe, such as Algeria, China, India, Egypt, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Turkey. Despite being photographed in distinct countries and within diverse ethnic and cultural contexts, the individuals depicted seem to convey a profound sense of belonging to a shared human colony. It is not difficult to feel the presence of a resonating feeling across these portraits, uniting everyone there and bringing them together on a common ground.
This characteristic, as Ceylan has mentioned in an interview, can be attributed to Ceylan’s unique approach to portraiture. Rather than documenting the realities of the people he photographs, Ceylan transforms them into the protagonists of their own worlds – citizens of an abstract planet that can only be accessed through the artist’s emotions. Each portrait becomes a means for revealing a particular human condition rather than attempting to understand the unique world of the individuals photographed – similar to the actors in his films. In this sense, what we see in these photographs may perhaps be nothing more than reflections of Ceylan’s inner world.
The exhibition is accompanied by a video of the same title, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. The video weaves together the works and their production journey into a cohesive narrative, opening the door to a parallel experience that may be perceived differently by each viewer.
Inviting the viewer on a personal journey across different geographies and ethnic backgrounds, while simultaneously bearing witness to the universal human story, On The Road by Nuri Bilge Ceylan will be on view at Dirimart Dolapdere from 28 January to 23 February 2025.
