Curated by the writer and art critic Eda Sezgin, this exhibition is rooted in extensive archival research and highlights the work of 25 graphic designers from the 1970s onward, showcasing the transformative journey of book design in Turkey. The show spans three floors, allowing visitors to follow the shifting design philosophies across time, from the late 20th century’s focus on book covers as artistic statements, to the 1990s, when books began to evolve into cohesive design objects that seamlessly integrated typography, layout, and materiality.
The exhibition’s layout is as much a reflection of this transformation as the works on display. One of the most compelling aspects of the exhibition is the collection of 1980s book covers for works by Aziz Nesin, a towering figure in Turkish literature and an outspoken critic of his society. Designed by Erkal Yavi for the 1983 publications by Adam Publishing House, these covers still resonate powerfully today with their bold political commentary.
For instance, Hangi Parti Kazanacak? (Which Party Will Win?), features a worn, disheveled man casting his vote, while a suited figure surreptitiously slips money into his pocket. Similarly, Koltuk (Chair), designed by Yavi, features an image of a bald, white-bearded man in a suit whose lower half is missing, his arm resting on an empty chair whose lower half belongs to the suited figure. These stark, symbolic images continue to offer poignant critiques of political and social structures in Turkey.
For book lovers, this exhibition is a rich visual and intellectual treat. Yet even for those less inclined towards bibliophilia, the exhibition offers a captivating glimpse into the political and cultural shifts within Turkey’s landscape, serving as a poignant ode to a time when self-expression and the freedom of political speech flourished with resilience.
Alexandra de Cramer
Issue 66, December 2023
Turkey’s Centenary Issue
