Istanbul Through Square
This series explores and showcases various aspects of daily life in Istanbul, where cultural, social, and historical contrasts coexist daily. My aim is to capture specific and memorable moments through subjects that might otherwise be overlooked in the rush of everyday life. From people spending time in cafes to contrasts in clothing and attire, everything in this series narrates the life that unfolds at the intersection of cultures and times.
By choosing the square format, while maintaining the coherence of the overall collection, I aimed to focus on the everyday moments of the vibrant people of this city and freeze a moment from their daily lives in each frame. The square format, with its balance and precision, allows me not only to place each subject in the center of attention but also to highlight the unique details and emotions of each moment in a tangible and prominent way. This choice also speaks to the abstract boundaries between time and space, where each image can independently convey its own meaning, regardless of its time and place.
Given my cultural background in Iran, where the issue of women’s optional hijab has become a serious social and political challenge, the cultural diversity and contradictions of a city like Istanbul have become even more striking. The contrasts you see in this series reflect the cultural and social changes that are taking place in Istanbul and other major cities. These contrasts, especially for me as someone with a different cultural experience from Iran, reflect broader questions about individual freedoms, identity, and culture.
Istanbul is the starting point of the intersection of East and West, where tradition and modernity, the East and West, are intertwined, creating new forms of social life. This project is an opportunity for me to present the human experience in the face of the cultural and social contradictions of modern-day Istanbul through the lens of photography.
