Exhibition Conception & Design

Getting ready for an exhibition is like working on a world-tour. The only difference is that you meet your audience once, and all the effort you spend becomes a relief on the opening night.

Revelation is my fourth exhibition; and unlike the previous ones, this time it's in Istanbul. This journey began with my visit to Ishtar Gate, located in the holly lands of Antu. By some ancient era theorists, it is assumed to be the place where humanity began. The secrets of our being and mysterious Anunnaki connection is said to lie over these lands. So, this was the inspiration for the concept of my new exhibition. Everything starts with a concept. A story with integrity, which outlines the nature and tonality of your work. Then comes working on details, like the cast, costumes, accessories, hair and make-up styles reflecting the concept. I usually sketch the frames on my mind before grabbing my camera for the photo-shoot. I believe this works well to discuss the above contents with different members of the crew, in order to get the right reflection for the final output. 

PPMs are important milestones for the exhibition. I usually have 3 major meetings; first one with the costume designer and stylist. In this one, I share the concept on my mind, and decide on the right kind of garments and accessories. Then comes the cast selection. I usually choose among the faces and bodies, that I believe best fits the story that I want to reflect. Then I search for the right spots, indoor or outdoor, for the photo-shoot. And the final meeting is with the whole team, preparing the line-up and discussing photo-shoot details. It's an exciting journey that keeps you busy for almost a month or more, depending on the complexity of the project.

Purgatorio by Cigdem Akın

Purgatorio Collection, designed by Cigdem Akın is the second episode of her trilogy, which will be presented on MBFW Istanbul on March 13th, 2014. Her whole concept is inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, and her journey continues with purgatory, somewhere between hell and heaven.

Love, a theme throughout the Divine Comedy, is particularly important for the framing of the sin on the Mountain of Purgatory. While the love that flows from God is pure, it can become sinful as it flows through humanity. Souls arrive escorted by an angel, Dante explains that this reference to Israel leaving Egypt refers both to the redemption of Christ and to the conversion of the soul from the sorrow and misery of sin to the state of grace. Appropriately, therefore, it is Easter Sunday when Dante and Virgil arrive. 

Purgatorio is notable for demonstrating the medieval knowledge of a spherical Earth. During the poem, Dante discusses the different stars visible in the southern hemisphere, the altered position of the sun, and the various timezones of the Earth. At this stage it is, Dante says, sunset at Jerusalem, midnight on the River Ganges, and sunrise in Purgatory. All pieces of Akın's Purgatorio collection reflects heavy fabrics supported with hand-made vignettes contrasted by contemporary accessories.

Purgatorio by Cigdem Akın will debut in MBFW Istanbul at Antrepo 3 on March 13th, 2014.