One of Istanbul’s most remarkable historical landmarks has become the setting for a captivating dialogue between ancient architecture and contemporary art. Then and Now, the latest exhibition by internationally acclaimed Turkish artist Seçkin Pirim, continues to welcome visitors to the 1,600-year-old Şerefiye Cistern, offering a unique cultural experience where history, sculpture, and space converge.
Presented by İBB Kültür AŞ, the exhibition remains open through August 31, inviting art lovers to explore a site where centuries of history meet the expressive language of modern artistic practice.
Contemporary Art Meets Ancient Architecture
Hidden beneath Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, the Şerefiye Cistern provides an extraordinary backdrop for Pirim’s site-specific exhibition.
Featuring sculptures that appear to float across the cistern’s tranquil waters, Then and Now transforms the underground monument into an immersive visual environment. Reflections, lighting, and the monument’s monumental Byzantine architecture combine to create a layered experience that encourages visitors to contemplate the relationship between memory, time, and artistic expression.
Rather than simply displaying artworks within a historic venue, the exhibition allows the architecture itself to become an essential part of the artistic narrative.
An Intellectual Journey Between Past and Present
Drawing from his recent body of work, Seçkin Pirim brings together monumental columns, sarcophagus-inspired forms, and multilayered sculptural compositions that engage directly with the atmosphere of the ancient cistern.
The exhibition creates an ongoing conversation between history and the present, encouraging audiences to reflect on how cultural memory continues to shape contemporary identity.
Speaking about the project, Pirim described Then and Now as a dialogue between the past and the future that continually surprises visitors.
He noted that while exhibiting in historic spaces has always been exciting, presenting work inside a monument with such profound historical memory carries a unique sense of responsibility. According to the artist, establishing a respectful relationship between the artworks and the architecture became central to the exhibition’s vision, making Then and Now one of the most meaningful projects of his career.
A Living Cultural Destination
According to Cenk Akın, General Manager of İBB Kültür AŞ, the exhibition reflects a broader vision for the future of Şerefiye Cistern.
Rather than functioning solely as a preserved historical monument, the cistern is evolving into a vibrant cultural venue where contemporary artistic productions engage directly with Istanbul’s extraordinary heritage.
Akın emphasized that the strong public response to Then and Now demonstrates how successfully historical architecture and contemporary art can complement one another, creating meaningful cultural experiences for both local residents and international visitors.
He added that İBB Kültür AŞ remains committed to making Istanbul’s rich cultural heritage increasingly accessible through exhibitions, performances, and multidisciplinary artistic projects.
The Artistic World of Seçkin Pirim
Born in Ankara in 1977, Seçkin Pirim is widely regarded as one of Türkiye’s leading contemporary sculptors.
After completing both his undergraduate and graduate education in sculpture at Mimar Sinan University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Pirim built an international career that spans sculpture, installation, and design.
His work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions including Saatchi Gallery in London, Triennale Milano, Borusan Contemporary, Pera Museum, Museum Haus Konstruktiv, and galleries across New York, Switzerland, China, and Türkiye.
Working within a distinctive neo-minimalist approach, Pirim creates layered compositions using materials including plexiglass, marble, aluminum, and paper.
His sculptures frequently explore themes of transformation, repetition, self-discovery, and spiritual renewal while drawing inspiration from Mevlana’s philosophy of “from one to the whole.” Through recurring forms and carefully constructed surfaces, Pirim investigates the individual’s search for meaning within today’s increasingly interconnected and complex world.
Discovering Şerefiye Cistern
With a history spanning nearly 1,600 years, Şerefiye Cistern is among the oldest surviving Byzantine water reservoirs in Istanbul.
Believed to have been constructed during the 5th century, the underground structure stands as one of the city’s most remarkable examples of early Byzantine engineering.
Today, operated by İBB Kültür AŞ, the cistern offers visitors far more than a glimpse into Istanbul’s architectural past.
Through carefully curated exhibitions, immersive installations, and cultural programming, the venue has become an important destination where archaeology, history, architecture, and contemporary creativity come together in one unforgettable setting.
A Must-Visit Cultural Experience
By bringing Seçkin Pirim’s contemporary sculptures into direct conversation with one of Istanbul’s oldest surviving monuments, Then and Now demonstrates how historical spaces can continue evolving while preserving their cultural significance.
The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity not only to admire contemporary art but also to experience one of Istanbul’s hidden architectural treasures in an entirely new way.
Open through August 31, Then and Now stands as one of the city’s most distinctive cultural experiences, inviting audiences to reflect on the enduring relationship between history, memory, art, and the ever-changing present.
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