Ramparts and Faces

The ancient walls of Istanbul have been a massive shadow over me since childhood, silent screams appearing at every corner. These massive stone structures, which once protected the city from enemies, now stand as images that resist time and carry the echoes of the past. However, in the grip of unplanned urbanization and neglect, this unique Byzantine heritage faces the threat of extinction. The “Walls and Images” project builds a timeless bridge by bringing these stone walls, bearing the traces of the past, together with today's life. I chose the sharp contrast of black and white because this contrast symbolizes the inevitable conflict between historical texture and contemporary life in its purest form. This work is not merely a documentation but also a call for awareness to preserve this priceless heritage and pass it on to future generations. These photographs are an invitation to witness the silent continuation of life in the shadow of the walls.

The Silence of Stone
Walls are not merely boundaries surrounding a city; they are places where time stands still. At first glance, these massive structures appear mute, yet beneath their winter blanket of white, they whisper to us of our scale and the weight of history. Here, stone is not just a material; it is the backbone of the city.

Life Thriving in the Shade
But what about the life flowing beneath these enormous shadows? Today, the walls are no longer military defense lines; they are homes, playgrounds, dining companions. As images blend into the rough texture of the walls, history is reborn in the most intimate moments of everyday life.

Wounded Heritage (Intervention and Labor)
The wounds inflicted by time and humanity are now being wrapped in scaffolding and steel bands. This restoration process, carried out with the patience of an artisan, leaves us with the question with each new layer added to the stone: Are we preserving only the stone, or memory itself?

At the Crossroads of Two Worlds
In the shadow of minarets, under the glow of plazas, amidst prayers and ancient inscriptions; the walls stand at the crossroads of two worlds. As the modern city rises upward, the walls call us back to our roots, to the earth, and to the quietude of ancient beliefs.

The Future in the Crack
Every clothesline is a string of hope, every vertical crack an inevitable seal of time. As walls and images blend together, the only thing left is this testimony. As we complete this project, we know that life flows on despite everything, but stones remember everything.