ARTIST / Artist
Haluk Akakçe
Haluk Akakçe (b. 1970, Ankara) , one of the most prominent names in Turkish contemprary art, describes himself as a performer and artist whose works give the feeling of space and infinite time. Akakçe’s work varies in a wide range of media, from video installations, wall paintings, and acrylic on panel and paper. Akakçe graduated with a BFA from Bilkent University, Ankara, in Interior Architecture, a MA from the Royal College of Art, London and a MFA from the School of the Art Instıtute of Chicago with highest marks. After having exhibited his first solo show in 1997, in Chicago, he pursued working between London and New York. He exhibited his work in some of the most important Art centers in the world, including: the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York, 2002), PS-1 Contemporary Art Center, Long Island City (New York, 2001) New Museum, (New York, 2002), Tate Britain (London, 2004) Chelsea Art Museum (New York, 2007), Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Kunsthaus Graz (Graz-Austria, 2008) and Istanbul Modern Museum (Istanbul, 2009).
Amongst the distinguished biennials and festivals he took part in, there is the 25. Sao Paulo Biennal ”Metropolitan Iconographies”, 2002, “Painting at the Edge of the World” Walker Art Center, Minneapolis and the 6. Istanbul Biennal under the curation of Paolo Colombo. In 2006, upon the governor’s invitation, Akakçe realized on Fremont Street, Las Vegas the “Sky is the Limit” project, which consisted of a projection on the world’s biggest Viva Vision LED screen. Following this work that extended onto four blocks in the city center of Las Vegas, Akakçe was invited by the Louis Vuitton brand to exhibit his video installation in the Maison Louis Vuitton Champs-Elysées.
