Artist Highlight : Umagumag
Serkan Tekin, Street Photographer
A Glimpse into the Artist's World
To capture the essence of each artist's unique journey, we delve deeper into their creative process and invite them to share their insights. Through a thoughtfully crafted questionnaire, we unravel the mysteries behind their artistic brilliance.
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Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I have been a street photographer, taking photos for about 10 years. I live in Istanbul, which is a wonderful city for street photography. I strive to create my art using the opportunities presented by the streets and people of Istanbul. The streets serve as my playground, and I am always out capturing moments in all weather conditions during my free time. My photos depict visions from the streets of Istanbul.What mediums do you use to express yourself?
Photography (Street Photography)
My gear is; Fujifilm XT-5 with a 23mm lens.Are you a Solo or Collaborative artist?
So far, I have worked individually, both during the production phase and when it comes to sharing or exhibiting my photos. However, that doesn't mean I am averse to collaborative work. Why not consider it in the future?How do you/your perception of art differ from others?
Strange-funny coincidences, absurdities, and especially humor are the main themes in my frames/images. I think this style in street photography pretty much defines me.
Photographs of Serkan Tekin Is there a fav artist or an artwork that inspired you/your style?
It is really difficult to specify a favorite artist or work because photography alone doesn't solely inspire and nourish me. From Galip Tekin and Bahadır Baruter in cartoons, to the works of Magritte and Hieronymus Bosch, and from the literary works of Kafka to Bukowski... In short, the elements that inspire my photography encompass various branches of art. In fact, my greatest inspiration often arises while listening to music, particularly Heavy Metal. There are very few moments when I take pictures without accompanying music.What was the last Exhibition you visited?
In Istanbul Modern, the famous director/photographer Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s photography exhibition “In Another Place” was very powerful. 22 portraits taken by Ceylan in Türkiye and geographies around the world as diverse as India, Georgia, China, Morocco, and Russia.What does Innovation mean to you?
Innovation, for me, means creating difference and excitement in art by using new ideas and technology.Are you familiar with Web3 /NFTs/Crypto?
I have been active for about 2 years in the NFT world. Being present on Web3 gives me a profound sense of participating in a significant artistic and digital revolution. It feels as though I am engaging in an exhibition that transcends the confines of time and space. This sensation brings me immense joy and strengthens my connection to my art. It fuels my motivation even further, propelling me to explore new possibilities and push boundaries within the realm of Web3.
A photographer named Habip Kocak, residing in England, whom I deeply admire mentioned NFTs and the concept, it felt incredibly unfamiliar to me. Although I promised to check it out, I never got around to it. However, after some time, he reached out again, insisting that I delve into it. He suggested that I should contact Volkan Çolak and inform him as well. Intrigued, I couldn't resist and began my research. Following a lengthy conversation with Volkan, I stepped into the realm of NFTs. Opening an account with Opensea cost me around $150.I must acknowledge and credit Volkan for his significant role in this journey. Despite residing in Ankara, we spent hours on the phone during those days. He patiently introduced me to a world I had never comprehended before.
Is AI your Enemy or Friend?
Neither friend nor enemy. I would like to see the result of a photo I took in real life with the AI and evaluate it together.
” It's good to be inspired by art. However, if inspiration goes unchecked, it can easily transform into imitation, making it challenging to establish one's own artistic identity. When it comes to creating art through photography, it is crucial to meld our own knowledge and perspective with our visual perception. Only then we can authentically express ourselves. Otherwise, we risk portraying someone else's vision/essence through our own camera. ”
Istanbul, acting as his playground, envelops street photographer Serkan in its labyrinthine city streets. He ventures through diverse neighborhoods, seeking captivating compositions, enigmatic personalities, and decisive moments that reflect the vibrant pulse of urban realms. Quirky and amusing coincidences, surreal absurdities, and above all, the essence of humor saturate the very fabric of his frames and images, forging his unique artistic identity.
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