Material: Stone

Contemporary Art and Ecological Experiments (Production Workshop for Artists)

"Material: Stone"

Workshop Facilitator: Alper Aydın

Date: April 21 - 24, 2025

Time: 19:00 - 21:00

The theory that a massive rock, breaking off from the sun, gradually cooled in space to form the Earth still holds validity today. From the dust of this great rock, life emerged, and humankind first lived inside caves carved into it. Later, humans used stone as a weapon against threats and eventually gathered stones to build homes wherever they desired. With human intervention, this material sometimes changed form, yet over thousands of years, it always returned to its natural state. Undoubtedly, it remains the only thing that will endure forever. Can we, through art, empathize with this peculiar rock we call "Earth" by engaging with an ordinary stone we encounter in nature? Can we bear witness to its journey?

In this workshop, led by artist Alper Aydın—who has been working with this material for nearly 15 years—we will explore how stone is approached from geological, archaeological, and sociological perspectives and engage in our own creative processes.

Throughout the workshop, we will examine how stone, as a fundamental component of Earth’s life-giving structure, influences perceptions of our planet. We will explore its role as a primary artistic material, its implications in artistic expression, and its place in society. Through our own creative production, we will discuss exhibition practices and presentation techniques, creating an environment for shared learning and experimentation.

Alper Aydın, Born in 1989 in Ordu, Turkey, Alper Aydın integrates the physical conditions of his surroundings and the unique flow of nature into his work. His practice includes sculpture, installation, performance, and temporary arrangements using natural materials, expanding the experience of both indoor and outdoor spaces into new dimensions.

Recognized in 2012 as one of Turkey’s top 13 young contemporary artists, Aydın's works are included in institutional and private collections, including Istanbul Modern and Yapı Kredi Collection. He has participated in numerous national and international artist residencies in cities such as Paris, Berlin, Perugia, New York, and Istanbul. His exhibition history includes the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (India, 2022-2023), Changwon Sculpture Biennale (Korea, 2022), Mardin Biennale (2022), the 15th Istanbul Biennale (2017), Cappadox Contemporary Art Festival (Cappadocia, 2017), Before It’s Gone at Istanbul Modern (2016), and his 2023 solo exhibition Fata Morgana in Ordu.

Aydın’s work draws upon geographical references to examine human spatial existence within ecological processes—particularly through sociological, historical, and archaeological perspectives. His artistic production, shaped by experiences within different geographies, engages with the dynamics of human-nature relationships. Utilizing various media, including sculpture, installation, performance, architecture, and video, Aydın allows the energy of each space to guide his creative process, exploring the presence of humans in nature in multifaceted ways. His installations highlight the chaotic and destructive impact of human progress on nature, inviting viewers to witness the reality of the future and reflect on the irreversible path of global destruction by envisioning the future manifestations of nature through his works.

* This workshop is designed for participants interested in stone as a material and its related creative practices. Regular attendance is expected throughout the four-day program. Participation is free of charge, with a limited capacity of 12 participants.

* To apply, please complete the pre-registration form via the “Register” button on the event page. Registration will open five days before the first session (April 16, 2025, at 19:00), and the “Register” button will be accessible from this date onward. During pre-registration, applicants are required to submit a brief statement outlining their artistic practices and motivation for joining the workshop. Applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced participant profile, and selected candidates will receive an invitation via email.

Workshop Program

- Monday, April 21, 2025 / 19:00 - 21:00 / On Production and Materials (Online)

In this workshop, the artist will share their own production practices and material exploration processes. We will discuss experiences and workflows, exploring how they approach the concept of stone and examining artistic forms of expression through a personal lens.

- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 / 19:00 - 21:00 / Concept and Production Process for Participants (Online)

After gaining a general understanding of the materials participants are interested in, this session will involve short presentations where participants discuss their reasons for joining the workshop and the relationship they envision establishing with stone as a material.

- Wednesday, April 23, 2025 / 19:00 - 21:00 / The Possibilities of Material (Online)

We will explore how artists from different disciplines use materials in innovative and sustainable ways, discussing where stone stands as a sociological form of expression through various approaches and examples.

- Thursday, April 24, 2025 / 19:00 - 21:00 / On Exhibition Practices (Online)

In this final session, we will conclude the program by discussing exhibition practices and presentation techniques for the works participants have created — or aim to create — through their engagement with stone, as well as their research ideas.