Prepared especially for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the 190 pieces themed on nature and titled as “The Colours and Shapes of the Island”, Hikmet Uluçam’s exhibition has been opened by his excellency the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the opening ceremony of the exhibition was held at the Exhibition Hall of the NEU Faculty of Dentistry. Furthermore, it was expressed that TRNC President Mustafa Akıncı and his wife Meral Akıncı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Vice Rectors of NEU, Academicians, artists and guests attendedthe opening ceremony that was held in a splendid environment. Additionally, details were provided stating that Founding Chair of the Cyprus Turkish History Museum and Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Photography Artist Hikmet Uluçam and President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus each made a speech at the opening ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Özkul: “Our philosophy is to integrate art and science…”
Making the opening speech, Founding Chair of the Cyprus Turkish History Museum and Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul expressed that they highly valued science and art.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Özkul referred to 15th April World Art Day and emphasised that art day should not only be celebrated by artists but should be celebrated by everyone. In fact, he stated that they were against this philosophy. Also, he stated that 365 days of a year were artists’ day and they were organising events to enable more and more time to be spent with artists. He proudly stated that Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts opened three exhibition per week and that they were constantly hand-in-hand with art. Prof. Dr. Özkul added that on 24 April an exhibition themed on “Child” will be opened and on 25th April, another exhibition by İsmet Vehit Güney will be opened. On 2-5 May, more events are to be held within the framework of Photography Days. He stressed that art and science were like the two wings of a single bird and only when you use both wings, it would be possible to fly. Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul ended his words by emphasising that at the NEU, they were free as a bird, flying with both wings!
A society without art is bound to be lost over time and if anyone wished to make a mark in history, they were required to be yielded. He pointed out that the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is to be opened in 2020 and that it was expected to be quite exemplary.
Uluçam: “Since the date of foundation of Near east University, Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel has valued art and artists”
Hikmet Uluçam stated that he opened his first exhibition in 1980 and that it was the first ever photography exhibition to be opened in Northern Cyprus. Furthermore, his second exhibition was opened in 1997 at Near east University. In this regard, he stressed that since the date of foundation of Near East University, Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel has valued and supported science and art. He added that with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel had placed ‘the icing on the cake’. He ended his words by stating that the photographs to be exhibited did not have any edits.
President Akıncı: “The Culture and Art Events organised by the Near East University are significant steps on the path to progressing as an advanced society.
He stated that Near East University continuously supported exhibitions and museums and culture and art and that these were significant steps taken on the path of becoming an advanced society. He added that culture and art functioned under the Ministry of Education and now the budget for culture activities was rather inadequate. Therefore, President Akıncı stated that this needed to change because the concept of culture and art is closely related to social development. He said that it was not possible to talk about the real development of the societies whose culture and art dimensions are lagging behind. Finally, he expressed that development was not only about increasing economic figures, but also developing societies with a cultural artistic dimension.
İbn Heysem award was presented…
Subsequent to the speeches, President Mutafa Akıncı and chairman of the Board if Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel presented the “İbn Heysem” Award to Hikmet Uluçam given to artist within the scope of Alasia Awards. Then, the portrait sculpture which was designed by the Azerbaijani sculptor Nurlan Kebekuulu on behalf of Hikmet Uluçam was opened, later to be included in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.
The opening ribbon was cut and the exhibition was explored…
It was stated that the opening ribbon was cut and the exhibition was explored by the art-lovers. It was announced that the exhibition revealing the colours and shapes within the nature of Cyprus, “The Colours and Shapes of the Island” was available to visit until 30th April 2019 at 10:00-12:00 on weekdays.
