Mektep-meydan Galatasaray

Pera Museum presents a contemporary exhibition exploring the multi-layered architectural, art-historical and sociological significance of the Galatasaray High School on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The exhibition curated by Çelenk Bafra takes on the name of "school" ("mektep") in reference to the name of the institution still remembered as and called "the school" by its graduates even today, to the deep-rooted history of the building and its character as a place of education. What does contemporary art have to say beyond the research, publications, exhibitions and events that have already been carried out about this school? Can this school and structure that concerns not only members of the Galatasaray community, but the entire city and even country become a source of inspiration for the artists of our day? The word play in the title School Square both references the Galatasaray Square with which the school is inextricably and necessarily intermeshed and envisages the structure of the Galatasaray High School with its garden and surrounding walls as an intellectual square (an agora, forum) where contemporary artists shall meet and debate. The exhibition attempts to "square"ly expose the school's interior as seen through the eyes of artists, thus opening it up to the public by way of artistic discussion.