Within the scope of the "15th November Republic Day" of the Republic of Northern Cyprus through which the 36th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is celebrated and within the scope of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project, the “Republic Exhibition” consisting of artworks of 43 artists and the solo exhibition titled "51 Years in Art" consisting of artworks of Turkish Cypriot Artist Özden Selenge was opened by Nazım Çavuşoğlu, the Minister of National Education and Culture.
According to the information provided by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the opening ceremony held at the Exhibition Hall of the Near East University İrfan Günsel Congress Center with the participation of Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Founding Rector. Suat İ.Günsel, Director of the Ministry, Chief Advisor to the Prime Ministry Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, Vice Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board of Near East University Hospital and Dr. Suat Günsel Hospital, institute directors, deans, lecturers, artists, and guests.
At the opening of the exhibition, the Vice Rector of the Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, artist Özgen Selenge and Minister of National Education and Culture Nazım Çavuşoğlu made a speech each.
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; “The Republic is independent, free and egalitarian."
Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ in his opening remarks regarding the activities to celebrate the 36th year of foundation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, said; "The Republic is an independent, free and egalitarian form of government, through which the nation holds the sovereignty in its own hands and uses it through the deputies elected for certain periods of time. The Republic is freedom of thought. It stands for defeating ignorance and poverty. The Republic is the figure establishing its own school. The Republic is the mind, the science. It is being contemporary with reason and science. It is the continuous innovation to follow the change and development in science. Factory, Republic. It is the production of chimneys. The Republic is to maintain its history. It is feeding from roots and giving new sprouts. It is the opportunity to be able to cry out that the human world is civilized and equal for individuals.The Republic is a woman; it is a woman studying, working, producing science, art, and sports. It is to treat women in a way that is worthy of womanhood and human dignity. Republic is art, artist, polyphony. The Republic is the guide of our Turkish Cypriot artist Özden Selenge. It is using the right and freedom of self-determination, it stands out as the unconditional owner of the Sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot People who have declared the State of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus before the world and history; As the sole owner of the Republic, the Turkish Cypriot people stands out to maintain its existence in its own homeland in full confidence and humane order; To realize a multi-party, democratic, secular and social state of law which includes protecting human rights and freedoms, the rule of law, and the peace and welfare of individuals and society; to adopts and promulgated the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established on November 15, 1983, with the aim of adhering to Atatürk's principles and disseminating his "Peace at home, peace in the world" principle. And with the belief that the real assurance is in the hearts and will of the citizens, the Turkish Cypriot people entrust and stand out as the watchful guardians of their children who are passionate about freedom, justice, and virtue. Our Republic is 36 years old, I do wish a happy Republic Day.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç; “Art is the creation of aesthetic pleasure through our eyes, ears, even our skin or mind“
Prof. dr. Erdal Aygenç in his opening remarks starting with his admiration for the Founding Rector Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel and the Near East Family, said "It is a great privilege for us to open the 176th exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts which is a project of the Near East University undertaking major projects in science, technology, sports, health, culture and arts; a university which designs and leads not only the present but also the future of this society and geography with its pioneering, progressive and innovative identity."
Prof. Aygenç continued as follows; "The answers to the question “What is art?" show differences according to time and place. Today, it is not appropriate to compare Plato's definition of art and Picasso's definition of art in the art literature, Moreover, there is no absolute place of criticism for an artwork shaped with templates beyond ourselves. To impose something as “this is art” or "art is this" is actually a state of creating a “taboo" contrary to the essence of art. When we say “ART", we refer to a phenomenon that gains the status of being artistic over time, transcends societies, “learned” knowledge, fashion attitudes or prejudices, in other words, eliminates differences in language, religion, race, time and space, embracing all humanity with the same taste and wisdom. Art is what creates aesthetic pleasure in us through our eyes, ears, even our skin or mind; it is almost a conditional reflex. In other words, aesthetic is the first aim of the work of art. A work of art is created primarily for aesthetics. If other things come before aesthetic taste, at least it's hard to say it's a work of art.”
Prof. Erdal Aygenç; “Cyprus Museum of Modern Art will mark world art and art history.”
Aygenç answered the question of "who is an artist" with an example; “Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during the conversation he had with the painters at the Ankara Community Center said "It would be strange to describe the artist to an artist and tell you about art in this field where you stand out with your professional activity and expertise" and describes the artist as follows: "The artist is the one who first feels the light in his forehead after long-lasting studies and efforts"
"The Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts which is the result of the unique vision of the Founding Rector Suat Günsel, and which continues to its art journey with great confidence, speed, dedication, and strong steps, will not only be a place to visit in the near future; but will place a mark to the world art and art history." Stating that an artwork is emerging as a result of a series of creative experiences and analysis actions, Aygenç saluted the enthusiasm for shaping a new world in all art productions.
Özden Selenge; "Dr. Suat Günsel keeps the pulse of the society ”
Artist Özden Selenge, in her speech, stated that Dr. Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector, is the one who holds the pulse of the society and expressed her happiness that the thoughts she went through were coming true one by one. In the past, we used to carry the tables on our backs and we opened exhibitions around the corners." When she said that she dreamed of a nursing home, she was applauded by the guests who filled the hall. Artist Selenge addressing Dr. Suat Günsel called out "I do believe that you will realize this as you have implemented a children's university..." and praised Dr. Günsel a lot.
Selenge said that since she was 4-year-old she has never ever dropped pencil and brush from her hands and she has written 11 books and 9 theater plays and that she has never done all these for financial purposes, and that she was very upset to see that her name was not even used on the posters of her plays and that she has given up writing plays because of this.
Özden Selenge addressed the state authorities; "Make a law that protects art”
Özden Selenge, addressing the state authorities continued as follows; "We want that our state attempts to protect the art by enacting laws, not the artist. This is my 23rd exhibition. I have held many exhibitions both in Turkey and abroad, and I never had a desire to be famous in other countries. If my own people, my own society, understand me, love me, this is enough for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in my society, in the land that gave me hope and inspiration, and to my country. Embroider art in your life."
Minister Çavuşoğlu; The 36th anniversary of the foundation of our Republic, the 450th anniversary of our coming to this land ”
In his speech, Minister of National Education and Culture Nazım Çavuşoğlu said; “Today we are present at the 177th of the exhibitions and I respectfully greet you. And today is the 36th anniversary of the foundation of our Republic, the 450th anniversary of our arrival in this land. The most beautiful institutional structure of a community and a people in the world is having a state. We did not acquire our republic easily, we have fought for many years, but those struggles have brought us to the state and we are glad that all the legs of the state are being formed. ”
Minister Çavuşoğlu; "As long as these efforts are made in these lands, our homeland, state and republic will be permanent. ”
Continuing with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words, Çavuşoğlu said, “As long as the military victories are not crowned with economic victories, there is no meaning. On the other hand, without art, one of the life veins of a nation is broken. By embracing our emotions in the books, everyone undertakes the task of becoming a state on this journey and carrying it to the future. The biggest one of these tasks is the love of the homeland. As long as the efforts like this exhibition are made in these lands, our homeland, state and republic will be permanent. It is very important that the Museum, which will be a brand in the world, will continue with such a stable and persistent performance. For our state, for our people, we welcome all kinds of efforts to take our place in the world. For this reason, we sincerely value our artists who make up the art form of the Turkish Cypriot people and create opportunities to spread their culture to the world. These openings, which coincide with the 36th anniversary of the foundation of our Republic, are in my opinion the result of very good ideas. Therefore, I embrace and salute the people who have these beautiful ideas and the people who support them with love and respect… ”
Fergâni award given, bust opened and exhibition ribbon cut...
After the speeches, the artist Özden Selenge, whose solo exhibition was opened by the Minister of National Education and Culture Nazım Çavuşoğlu, was presented the Fergâni Award given to the artists of painting within the scope of the Alasia Awards. Then, with the participation of Founding Rector Suat Günsel, the bust of the artist Özden Selenge was opened. Then the Republic Exhibition and solo painting exhibition were opened respectively. The exhibitions can be visited at the Near East University Irfan Günsel Congress Center between 08.00-16.00 on weekdays until 22 November 2019.