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A PLACE FOR VOICES TO BE HEARD
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1. TAKSIM AS AN EVENT PLACE & FESTIVAL SPACE: Taksim: a tired and loaded square. Its presence has been burdened as a place of conflicts. On the one hand, it is a scene where the authority leaves its very visible marks of power, on the other it is a platform where the weak, less powerful and invisible segments of the society congregate in order to make demands and let their voices be heard. A place where authority confronts the individual. Its history is full of events resulting from those confrontations. This square has events as its layers. Starting from its past as cemetery, Taksim Square has been intertwined with death many times until today but at the same time it has also been the center of great hopes, fresh starts and celebrations, of proudly being oneself, the happiness of being both an individual and co-exist as part of a society. This is a square of people who rise up against injustice and demand their rights. The struggle against gender inequality had always been taking place here. Gezi Park is one of the early symbolic areas of women getting out of their houses and participating in the public sphere in İstanbul. Recently Taksim has been hosting LGBTI members even before these concepts were fully accepted and embraced by the society. İstiklal Street become an inevitable part of the Feminist Night Parades and Pride Walks. This is a square of people who strive for equality. Unions which have been endeavoring for workers to labor and to live in humane conditions have turned the square into a center of workers’ solidarity. Before being marred by provocations, celebrations of labor and workers have repeatedly transformed the place into a festival area. Tens of thousands of people who seek nothing but the honest returns of their labor have realized the power of being united and acting as one here in Taksim. This is a square where strength arises from unity. During Gezi Park events, millions of young and old people from diverse backgrounds came together with one main common concern: objection to authoritarian rule. They believed in the power of the individual and demanded to be respected. They asked for open negotiation, participation, compromise and possibilities in the society. This is a political square that embraces diversity. As well as to develop physical and mental strength, sports teach to be fair and to play by the rules. Besides winning or losing sports have a greater importance the society. Taksim has been the location hosting Turkey’s first national football match as well as embraced Turkey’s first tennis club for many years. This is a square where the excitement of sports is celebrated. AKM has shown the miracle of music to young people and children for generations. With its foyer as an extension of the public space, with its iconic facade reflecting the sunset as well as giving a datum element to the fragmented square and with the burden of the events it witnessed it was one of the most historical places in the country. Numerous concerts and performances took place behind this foyer. Ticket lines of the first Istanbul Music Festivals starting at night until the first lights of the morning were one of the most memorable features of AKM that indicate its significance in İstanbulites’ social lives. Beyond AKM, the Open-Air Theater, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Borusan Hall and hundreds of other music venues scattered around the area keep this tradition alive and maintain the legacy of iconic places of past years such as Kristal and Maksim Music Halls, Turkuaz Dance Hall, Babylon or Kemancı. This is a place where people of Istanbul meet with music. Literature is inspired by life. It is unimaginable that Turkish literature would not be inspired by Taksim which emphasizes differences, contains multiple stories and encompasses the world. As a matter of fact, many authors have lived in the area where subject matter is abundant. Literature enthusiasts since a long time erode the paths of Beyoğlu bookstores and booksellers. It is thus not a surprise that Istanbul’s first book fair had taken place in the basement of Etap Marmara Hotel in 1982. This is a square where life blends with literature. Art heals us foremost by its uncanny state of blurring the boundary between the familiarity and the unfamiliar that it embodies by its nature. Time by time, the perception of Taksim appears to be the reflection of this state of ‘being in between’. Very familiar but distant, humane but harsh, cheerful but sad, crowded but lonely, an open horizon but also restricted, related to the world but lost, hopeful but disappointing, enthusiastic but exhausted at the same time. This is a square that is blessed by uncertainty, by open-endedness, by in-between situations of which art feeds upon in order to make life bearable. The biggest potential of a city is hidden in its encounters. Those people who live nearby Taksim, those who don’t, who come from far away, just pass by, fall, wonder, run, stand, look, collide, make Taksim an intersection of the unexpected. These collisions are the reason why there are continuously events both good and bad. This is a square full of surprises. What we remember today about Taksim is neither an architectural structure, nor a detail from daily life but events where the individual confronts authority. We have constructed our project on this fact. Taksim is a place of events. Contrary to the burdens of the past, we care that future events in Taksim represent diversity, are inclusive and of a cosmopolitan nature. We aim that the balance of power in Taksim between the individual and authority is tipped towards the individual. Taksim is an event space fed by activities of all scales.
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azb39k5s 2. ACTORS: Taksim Square is surrounded by old residential neighborhoods. The oldest residence in the area was the mansion of Ayas Paşa dating back to 16.th century. After 1870 graveyards were expropriated and converted to housing areas. According to Reşat Ekrem Koçu, some of the gravestones were used in the foundations of the new massive (şeddadi) apartments. Gümüşsuyu, Tarlabaşı and Cihangir neighborhoods which became dense residential areas are just outside of the boundaries of Taksim. Gezi Park has historically been the only green space in their close proximity. The neighborhoods of Kasımpaşa, Elmadağ, Kurtuluş, Tophane, even Dolapdere, Nişantaşı and Beşiktaş are also within walking distance to the square. The cosmopolitan character of Taksim Square is reinforced by the very different nature of those neighborhoods.
public transport stations and connections
The variety in the participant profiles is enhanced by Taksim Square being a transportation hub of metro, bus and ‘dolmuş’ networks and also being one of the shuttle stops of airport and inter-city buses. Even the existence of people transferring and passing by invigorates the variety of people in Taksim. Istiklal Avenue as a dense shopping area and transformation of Talimhane into a hotel district bring an influx of people to the area. Other main actors of Taksim are people passing by in order to participate in cultural or entertainment activities that are in abundance in Beyoğlu district. Centers of culture, music and arts that already exist and are planned in the area such as AKM, Arter, Meşher, Pera Museum, Open Air Theater, Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center, Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, İstanbul Modern, Galataport, Küçükçiftlik Park will emphasize this nature of the square. In a similar fashion educational institutions in the area such as Atatürk Library, iTÜ Taşkışla and Gümüşsuyu Campus, Kent University, Beykent University, Galatasaray and Beyoğlu Anatolian High Schools have an influence on the profile of the participants. Within Taksim and its welcoming nature for all, another significant group is the homeless. Those people use Taksim independent of seasons, days of the week or times of the day and make it their own. This use is very continuous unlike other numerous uses existing in the square. Beyond the already mentioned actors the people who give the character to Taksim Square are the ones who arrive in order to celebrate, protest, make their voices heard or claim equality, justice and civil rights. Those are the main actors in the events where the individual confronts authority. Residents of the Neighborhoods / Passersby / Transfer Passengers / Shoppers / Tourists / People Coming For Cultural Activities / People Coming for Entertainment / People Coming for Education / Homeless / Protesters / People Who Raise Their Voice are the actors of Taksim Square. In spite of all the burden of its history loaded with memories and the abundance and variety of its actors, Taksim Square is also strangely void of memories. Although many important official and civil events of all sorts happened here, those events are not remembered. One has to remember in order to move on. 2
azb39k5s 3. TIMELINE FOR OFFICIAL AND CIVIL EVENTS IN TAKSIM:
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azb39k5s 4. PROGRAM FOR AN EVENT PLACE & FESTIVAL SPACE IN TAKSIM: Taksim’s physical space is worn-out and battered due to attempts of every new authority trying to erase the marks of the previous one. That needs to be repaired. Actually, what needs repairing goes beyond the physical space: the promise of the public space as a facilitator of human relationships and collaboration needs to be repaired. Looking at the timeline of authority – individual collision it is evident that the character of Taksim during 90’s was about empowering the individual and her/his/their freedom. That has changed after 2013 with an era of authoritarian prohibition. As a natural result of a disregard for the individual the area loses its character of a public square. The positive energy of its participants cannot be transformed into synergy anymore, it fades away. In order bringing together actors whose contact and communication is interrupted we are proposing using the multi-layered and all-inclusive concept of ‘FESTIVAL’. This is an environment enabling events where everybody is welcome, all can participate individually or communally and are in accordance with the historical character of Taksim Square. This place at the heart of Istanbul will be converted into an event-space by the juxtaposition of various scales of activities of individuals and communities, allowing a multitude of experiences simultaneously and encounters through small and large organizations. Keeping these organizations non-profit and public is essential. That is why working with different actors throughout the design, organization and realization process is extremely important. Who Is Involved:
landscape designer structural and engineering consultant
mimar planner
Such an organization needs a system that is participatory, collaborative, multi-layered and sustainable. In order to establish such a system, we need to use the process described in the diagram of ‘who is involved’. That diagram is both about the structure of our group and the organization necessary for the transformation.
design
event consultant individual /society relationship
sociology consultant NGO consultant history consultant law consultant semi-official institutions consultant
social media consultant Big data expert
music and performance consultant art consultant
organization
diagram of ‘Who is involved’ .
The system requires the collaboration between Architect / Planner / Landscape Architect / Structural and engineering consultant / Event consultant / Music and performance consultant / Art consultant / Social media consultant / Big data expert / Sociology consultant / NGO consultant / History consultant / Law consultant / Semi-official institutions consultant
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ferris wheel .
Architectural approach Considering the battered and worn-out nature of the physical space, first and foremost an evaluation of the existing layers is necessary before making large interventions. In this regard a number of repair operations are suggested: Repair 1: Memory repair /remembrance and discussion of past events, commemoration of the people who have died, notes encountered by surprise in the square, activities spread through the year Repair 2: Human relationships repair /activities involving meeting with acquaintances and strangers, Passive and active participation, Interactive system encouraging participation, Careful approach towards vulnerable groups, Environment encouraging collaboration, Building a sense of community, Caring for the commons, Bazaar, art activities, theater and cinema performances, musical performances, public kitchen (aşevi), year-round ‘yeryüzü sofraları’, homeless support unit, exchange stations, literary events, open forum, meetings, fun for kids.
sport tournaments .
Repair 3: Park repair /creating an environment of just nature and play, Landscape restoration, replanting, restoring, replenishing trees and shrubs, A park with no hierarchy, and definitely no automobiles. Repair 4: Square repair /more trees, shade elements, seating for daily uses, Flexible system enabling various ‘events’, Recycling its own waste, Public support units for organizations, Lighting fixtures less visible and of a much smaller scale without reducing visibility.
feminist night march .
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J F M A concert .
Activities within the Scope of the Festival:
J J A street performance .
S O N
+ Various events which will take place in Taksim: • Forum, discussion platform, open tribune • Concerts and performances, small and large scale, street performers • Exhibitions • Fairs • Sporting activities, small and large, tournaments • Bazaars, organic markets, second hand markets, , recycling and upcycling markets, swap markets • Park, nature, games, farming • Literary events, reading on trees, reading clubs, seminars, public reading events • Dance performances, theater performances, film screenings • Fashion show, dress parade • Wet areas, water games, ice skate rink
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Yearly events traditionally taking place at Taksim: • May 1st /workers • March 8th /women • End of June /LGBTI • December 31st /new years’ eve • National holidays • March 21st, Nevroz • Ramadan ‘yeryüzü sofrası’ • November 10th • Istanbul Music Festival • Istanbul Jazz Festival • Istanbul Film Festival • Istanbul Theater Festival • Istanbul Biennale • Istanbul Design Biennale
D ice skate rink
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Structures: All structures will be of a light construction, flexible, multi-purpose, adaptable for future new activities and necessities. They will be of a temporary nature allowing removal with no traces, if necessary. In order to leave the square to all public activities a public spine building is suggested. The spine will contain all public support systems freeing the square. Public Spine The fragmented spine will repair the intersection of Gezi park with Talimhane (Cumhuriyet Avenue). Its terrace on the Park level will become a Bazaar area. The building will open up and allow connections between the park and Talimhane, also creating green slopes of recreation. At the Cumhuriyet Avenue level public activities such as Taksim Art Gallery, public kitchen supported by the bazaar above, Post Office, support units for the homeless will take place. Temporary support units necessary for the various public activities which will take place at Taksim Square will be located in, on and around the Public Spine Building.
reading on trees .
swap market and water games .
section 1-1 .
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section of public spine .
Event Layered Building Public Spine ends with a layered building at the Square. All social infrastructure necessary for the activities taking place in Taksim Square will be provided here. It is a service building where all actors and collaborators related to the events can meet and prepare. It is a meeting space, a tribune, a diving board, a stage, a forum, an open air cinema. The building is directly located above the sub-level entrances and thus connected with the metro line and bus stops. Facilities which are necessary for recycling and upcycling of Taksim’s waste will be located in the large open areas in the below-ground levels.
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section 2-2 .
event layer space .
Tribunes / Stages / Mobile Trees Temporary and mobile tribunes will be designed which will transform the square from a ‘transitory place’ into a ‘resting place’. Through these tribunes, various stages, various focal points and various encounters will emerge. For events of different scales various temporary stages will be installed. Mobile tree units which will bring color and shade into the shadeless grey square are suggested. Through rails in the ground these units will be able to create spaces of varying scales allowing flexible uses. Tribunes attached to the units will allow for the viewing of small performances and concerts as well as becoming forum areas and stages. They also serve passers-by for a short breath, flaneurs to dream, all ages to sit and read under the shade of the trees. Under most of the square there are subterranean levels making plantation of substantial trees impossible. The mobile units will convert this problem into a potential.
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fashion show .
forums on mobile tribunes .
section 3-3 .
section of mobile trees .
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spaces of varying scales allowing flexible uses .
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