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Interactive Fountains & Shadow Refl ecting Pools along with Interactive Art and Installation Pieces as social interaction devices in Taksim Square & Gezi Park.

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A group of high school friends take the 43 bus route from Dikilitas to Taksim, after getting off they climb the northwest Gezi Park stairs to lay out on a blanket and people-watch.

An hour later, they walk south towards the urban stair and arrive at the Big Bus Pavilion to meet more friends, realizing that the Istanbul Design Festival just started.

They walk towards the community-based interactive public art installations and check the pieces.

After that they go to the food vendors to get some refreshments, recharge their cellphones while use free wi-fi .

Finally, they enjoy the “Swinging in the City” project that is part of the year’s design festival.

They go back home taking the Taksim Metro Station.

Landscape of Spatial Flexibility, Seasonal Occupation, Temporary Interventions, and Activations

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A successful urban square is prepared to change or adapt in use during the course of the day, week, season and year. In order to perform to these fl uctuations, spatial fl exibility is incorporated at the core of the overall competition proposal.

To stimulate social cohesion – people participating actively or passively in cultural, religious, economic, political or community activities -, the project introduces a number of spatial, urban, architectural and art components encouraging visitors to take part in several activities and engagements such as meeting, gathering, talking, listening, watching, eating, dancing or participating in entertainments and performances.

Potential Event and Project Activations: Ephemeral Contemporary Art Projects in collaboration with local art institutions such as Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul Design Biennial, SALT, Istanbul Modern, Arter, Pera Museum, and Mamut Art Fair,

Seasonal Experiences:

transforming Taksim into an active site for dialogue and temporary installations. Food Based Artistic Projects; Art Night Taksim; Environmental Initiatives with local collectives such as Birbucuk specializing in projects at the crossroads of art and environment. Performing Arts; music: collaborations with Istanbul’s festivals such as the Istanbul Music Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival who already uses public spaces to host concerts; performance & dance: in collaboration with local groups such as PerformIstanbul, Arter, SALT and Istanbul Theater Festival; opera: in collaboration with AKM; cinema: open air cinema and conversations with fi lm directors; literature: book fairs and conversation with writers.

The ability to off er a wide range of social activities triggers the presence of people, and people themselves are the essential component for a successful public square.

1. Spring.

Gastronomy related events: Organic Food Bazaar, Gastronomy/Coff ee Festival, 101 Tastes of Istanbul Festival

Tulip Fair

Taksim Children’s Festival: Treasure Hunt in Gezi Park, Games, Puppet Shows, Music, Art, Sports, Literature

2. Summer.

Opening of the Annual Temporary Pavilion: Hosting Performances, Talks, Dance Shows

Open-Air Cinema: Movie screenings with live music performances, conversations with directors and actors

Concerts: In collaboration with Istanbul Music Festival (June, classical music) and Jazz Festival (July)