In the 21st century, when modern humans spend three-quarters of their lives indoors and nature feels more distant than ever, the exhibition “Creatures of Comfort” opened on September 8th at OMM - Odunpazarı Modern Museum, exploring productions that create space for nature to re-enter our urban lives. Curated by İdil Tabanca, the exhibition brings together international artists and designers who work with a creativity that skillfully transcends the traditional boundaries of painting, sculpture, installation, and furniture design, while also redefining the relationship between form and function. The 38 different artists featured in the exhibition breathe life into functional objects by merging elements of nature with human qualities.
Among the notable works in this exhibition are three pieces from the “Stone Stories” series by Roman Babakhanian, an artist represented by Galeri 77. Babakhanian, who works in Yerevan, captures the aesthetic value of stone, a material that has played a crucial role in both structure and craftsmanship from ancient times to the present, through his striking photorealistic technique. Similar to the famous sculptures like Venus de Milo and Michelangelo's David, where stone has the potential to become a masterpiece in the hands of skilled sculptors, Babakhanian portrays stone in its raw and warm form, crafting entirely different compositions. In his works, objects become much more than what we are accustomed to perceiving in daily life; the transitions of color and light further sanctify the images. While offering a contemporary and innovative perspective on this millennia-old material, the artist also pays homage to deep-rooted artistic traditions.
The “Creatures of Comfort” exhibition will be open to art enthusiasts at the Odunpazarı Modern Museum in Eskişehir until July 2025.
September 10, 2024
