For our 576th Art Gathering, we are visiting *212 Photography Istanbul*, hosted at the Galata Greek School.
The Galata Greek School stands as a significant educational institution for the Greek community during the modernization period of the Ottoman Empire. It was constructed with the support of philanthropist Eleni Zarifi—who provided the necessary funding—on a plot of land donated by the Galata Greek community, with the aim of offering a modern education to Greek children. Following a construction process that spanned approximately 30 years, the building was completed in 1885 and opened as a school in 1910. The architectural design was led by Patroklos Kambanakis and Stavros Hristidis, with Perikli Fotiadis serving as an architectural consultant. Built in the neoclassical-eclectic style characteristic of the era, the school is located in Galata, the historic trade and financial hub of Istanbul.
Between 1910 and 1988, the school educated many students from the Greek community of Galata; however, it ceased operations in 1988 due to demographic shifts. The institution functioned as a kindergarten from 2000 to 2007 before being officially closed in 2015. After remaining dormant for many years, the building was returned to its original owners—the Greek community of Istanbul—in 2012. Since then, the structure has hosted numerous significant cultural events, and following a restoration process that took place between 2019 and 2023, it now operates as a culture and arts center under the name "Okul" (The School).
Currently, as part of 212 Photography Istanbul 2026, the venue is hosting exhibitions that bring together two prominent figures from the world of photography. One of the festival’s most compelling venues, the Galata School Foundation Cultural Center, hosts "Short & Sweet: A Retrospective," the first comprehensive exhibition in Istanbul dedicated to the work of British photographer Martin Parr. Spanning over fifty years of his career, the exhibition traces his evolution from early black-and-white photography to the vibrant color series that brought him international acclaim; it also features "Parrjektif," a project focused specifically on Istanbul. While themes such as vacations, shopping, dining, and crowds may appear humorous at first glance, Parr’s work—characterized by vivid, saturated colors—offers a sharp, incisive commentary on consumer habits, social class, and the ways in which we present ourselves to the world. Realized with the support of Mavi, the Magnum Foundation, and the Martin Parr Foundation, the exhibition invites viewers to explore the humor hidden within the mundane, the absurdity of consumer culture, and the raw, unvarnished essence of human nature.
Also on display at the same venue is Frank Horvat’s exhibition, "Please Don't Smile." Horvat, who revolutionized the conventions of fashion photography, moved his models out of the controlled environment of the studio and into the streets of Paris and London. In the images he captured amidst the urban flow, the subject’s posture, her relationship with her surroundings, and the fleeting moment itself become just as significant as the clothing being worn. Natural gestures, unexpected encounters, and the rhythms of daily city life intertwine with the carefully constructed world of the models.
Wednesday, October 14
12:00–13:00