Arkas Art Center in İzmir represents Turkey with the “Picasso: The Art of Spectacle” exhibition in the context of “Picasso-Méditerranée”, a series of exhibitions in which various institutions from different countries participate.
The exhibition presents 83 works from the Paris Picasso Museum, Foundation Julio Gonzalez, Opera Garnier and the Kontaxopoulos-Prokopchuk Collection in Brussels. Each space at the center will guide you through a series of studies, mock-ups, sketches, sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, films, costumes, and videos, documents that attest to the various areas of expertise of this versatile artist who exploded classical traditions, paving the way for so many areas of modern art. All art enthusiasts are invited to discover the magic, mystery, and eclecticism of Picasso’s unparalleled, protean body of work.
Throughout his long career, Picasso’s eclectic genius was expressed in the lively interest he took in spectacles – dance, circus, theater, and the corrida – even the pleasure he took in creating a spectacle of himself. These are the themes that this exhibition explores. Another theme that emerges implicitly is the close ties that this prodigious artist maintained with luminaries in many fields of creative endeavor: artists, writers, poets, musicians, and theater people. This circle, “Picasso’s galaxy,” made him, according to Pierre Cabanne, “one of the key figures and witnesses of the movements and transformations of one of the most extraordinary periods in art history.”
Curated by Jean Luc Maeso and directed by Müjde Unustası, this exhibition has been organized with the exceptional support of the Musée national Picasso-Paris as part of the “Picasso Méditerranée” program and is free for visitors until January 5, 2020.
Arkas Art Center was established in line with the wish of Mr. Lucien Arkas, President of the Board of Directors of Arkas Holding, to share the Arkas Collection, being formed through his personal interest and professional approach, with the art-lovers.
Sea-viewing side of French Honorary Consulate Building, which has been serving since 1875 in Izmir as one of the most beautiful works of its period, was assigned to Arkas Holding by the French Government for a period of 20 years to be used for cultural and artistic purposes. Following one-year restoration works, the building was opened under the title “Arkas Art Center” in 2011.
There are 9 exhibition rooms and 1 atelier in the historical building consisting of 2 floors that were converted into a modern featured art center. Arkas Art Center, in addition, to be a historical building brought to Izmir, is also the first art center where the works of many international painters are exhibited.
Visiting Price: Free
Visiting Hours: 10:00-18:00 (till 20:00 on Thursdays) Monday closed.
Address: 1380 Sokak No:1 Alsancak, İzmir
