Pera Museum Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary with Two Remarkable Exhibitions

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Pera Museum hosts two exhibitions that highlight artistic diversity and intellectual depth. The first exhibition,

MARCEL DZAMA: Dancing with the Moon - With a little help from his Friend Raymond Pettibon, marks the acclaimed Canadian artist’s first solo exhibition in Turkey. Curated by Alistair Hicks, the exhibition presents Dzama’s multidisciplinary works, including drawing, film, and sculpture. Through themes of “war, environmental destruction, and political mismanagement”, Dzama merges surrealist narratives with satirical and historical references, inviting viewers to reflect on global issues. His collaborations with notable artists such as Raymond Pettibon, Spike Jonze, and Beck further showcase his dynamic approach to contemporary art. 

Samih Rifat: A Multidisciplinary Visionary
Running parallel to Dzama’s exhibition, SAMİH RİFAT: "Much Is to Be Done" - photographs, films, drawings, poems, notebooks, books, and music… pays tribute to the life and creative legacy of one of Turkey’s most distinguished intellectuals. Rifat, a poet, translator, photographer, and cultural visionary, is celebrated through a comprehensive retrospective that includes his personal notebooks, literary works, photography, films, and music. The exhibition, advised by curatorial consultant Serhan Ada and photography consultants Esra Özdoğan and Ahmet Elhan, offers an unprecedented look into Rifat’s interdisciplinary artistic journey. 

Rifat’s deep engagement with literature, translation, and photography is reflected in his translated works, personal notes, and collaborations with his father, poet Oktay Rifat. His meticulous approach to language is evident in Night Writing, a literary project co-translated with his father. Additionally, the exhibition highlights his passion for music, with notebooks and recordings providing insight into his creative process.

One of the most intriguing elements of Rifat’s exhibition is his photography, which captures the relationship between urban life, nature, and cultural heritage. His belief that photography shares a closer bond with poetry than painting is evident in his poetic visual language. Visitors will also find his personal writings on photography, demonstrating his unique perspective on the medium. 

A Dual Perspective on Artistic and Intellectual Expression
Pera Museum bridges contemporary visual storytelling with cultural and literary heritage by showcasing these two exceptional exhibitions. Marcel Dzama’s satirical and politically charged art contrasts with Samih Rifat’s introspective and interdisciplinary approach, offering a rich dialogue between different artistic realms. 

Pera Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sundays from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On “Long Fridays,” all visitors can enjoy the museum for free between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM, while “Young Wednesdays” offers free admission for students every Wednesday.