By Heidi Trautmann
If it had not been for artist friends informing the world outside the university about these important activities in the arts faculties, we would not have known and would have missed the opening of the exhibition following the 3rd all disciplinary art workshop. In my opinion it is rather important to see where the young art students are heading and what can be expected in the future.
Raif Demililer, heading the sculpture workshop, explained that about ten art professors from different art departments of universities in Turkey had come to Cyprus together with their art students to join the departments at the NEU for this important event. Six art disciplines were involved: sculpting, printing (linocut) painting, graphic design, photography and ceramics. Some of the guest teachers are part time teachers, so there is a regular exchange of knowhow anyway.
The beautiful exhibition hall in the basement of the Atatürk Conference Centre was crowded with the participating teachers and students waiting for the ceremony to be presented with the certificate of participation and successful implementation.
The presentation of the ceramic art work was dominating the place with its impressive size and perfect execution; a circular design consisting of 350 pieces as I have learnt. Hüseyin Özçelik, heading this project confirmed the degree of difficulty in getting the project carried through; all the 350 pieces had to correspond to each other with respect to size, thickness, and finally design; the art work of approximately 5 m in diametre was still raw, not fired yet; this will be done when all the pieces are completely dry. It is planned as I learn from Hüseyin Özçelik that the ceramic relief work will be mounted at the outside wall of the university library, where there already exists a similar work but in a smaller dimension inside the building.
The next big project was painting with Mustafa Hastürk heading the workshop. Mostly aimed at weighing and balancing colours and leaving aside traditional thinking, a sort of deliverance, painting in movements, not lost in detail.
The other big project was in photography, thoroughly planned; mostly black/white photos taken along a pre-determined road, places the students had to visit and search. Very interesting and good pictures, in my opinion. Training perception.
I was pleased to see lino cutting done, an art form I personally like, having to restrict oneself to the essential information.
This kind of cooperation among art faculties in the TRNC and Turkey is planned to be continued and we may look forward to a stimulation of the art practice through exchange of ideas and experience.