JOURNEY INTO OUR CULTURE - JOURNAL I BODRUM ISSUE - 74Escape
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ESCAPE
JOURNEY INTO
OUR CULTURE
JOURNAL � I
BODRUM ISSUE
EDITOR'S NOTE 3
Dear friends,
’74Escape is a community platform that was born from a passion for exploring other
people’s cultural experiences and making new discoveries through travel. Over time, the
platform evolved into a wonderful collaborative and intimate space where we connect
with friends from around the world, and share new finds and unforgettable memories.
The emergence of a curated space and shop from this platform has always
seemed like the next inevitable step. While the idea has long been on my mind, it was
after enduring these last difficult months that the true philosophy and purpose began to
take shape. Before we look outwards and explore, we must look within, and appreciate
and celebrate our roots.
Born from a heightened sense of unity and solidarity, this edition of the
’74Escape Store & Gallery hence intends to turn inwards, and shine a light on the
creative and cultural production happening in Turkey today. This felt like an important
time to activate our platform for the benefit of our community, and we have aimed to
support our friends and their much loved brands, as well as newly discovered local
designers, artisans and artists of Turkey.
Istanbul is home to so many spirited brands that each share a unique vision and
story that is rooted in our rich history, heritage and culture. The ’74Escape Store &
Gallery at Maçakızı Bodrum this summer, celebrates and champions our homegrown
talent, and offers a curated selection of exquisitely crafted contemporary works and
products inspired by the Mediterranean way of life.
I am so happy to also be able to share with you this summer this special issue,
which intends to capture the soul and spirit of this project. I hope you enjoy these pages
that evoke the energy of the Mediterranean coast through the works of the brilliant
designers and artists that we had the pleasure of collaborating with.
Along the way, we’re delighted to share with you a few stories of what makes
Bodrum and Turkey such a truly magical place...
D E ME T MÜF TÜO ĞLU E Ş E Lİ
F O U N D E R & C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
CONTENTS 5
ESCAPE JOURNAL
ISSUE NO I
Special thanks to;
SUMMER 2020 Aytül Ayke Fıratoğlu, Konca Aykan, Nazlı Pektaş, Nil Ertürk,
Yonca Ebüzziya, Öykü Baştaş and Seda Domaniç for moderating
PUBLISHER
ISTANBUL’74 the ‘74Escape podcasts with the ceramic artists and designers. 6
Bodrum: A Love Story
LIFESTYLE
FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Demet Müftüoğlu Eşeli Special thanks to Melisa Tapan and Selin Selgur for modeling
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION the ‘74Escape collection for our spontaneous photoshoot. 8
The Fisherman Of Halicarnassus and Bodrum
’74STUDIO Creative Agency
LIFESTYLE
DESIGNERS
Special thanks to the wonderful Maçakızı Hotel team for all their
Ayşe Şişmanoğlu
14
Ayşe Kap
help and support in building the ‘74Escape Store & Gallery The Bodrum Gulet
EDITORS space that we have dreamed of. LIFESTYLE
Ela Perşembe
Işıl İlkter
17
The Bodrum Tangerine
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
CULINARY CULTURE
Zeynep Yener
Leyla Karakaş
Hande Oynar 20
Sunny, Salty Keepsakes
PHOTOGRAPHY
LIFESTYLE
Demet Müftüoğlu Eşeli
Can Büyükkalkan
Berkant Demirbek 32
Ceramic Works
ARTS & CULTURE
50
Journey Into Our Culture
FASHION
78
Escape to Nature
FASHION
98
The Maçakızı Story
TRAVEL
106
Q&A with Chef Vera Loulou
and Chef Aret Sahakyan
CULINARY CULTURE
108
Escapes
TRAVEL
112
Ancient Unwinding Practice:
Aromatherapy
BEAUTY
6 LIFESTYLE 7
Bodrum: a Love Story
W
hen Mausolus, who with his queen Artemisia, ruled over Halicarnassus
CALL ME
back in the 4th century BC, died, Artemisia was so grief-stricken that she
drank the ashes of her husband, which she has mixed with wine, in order
to turn her body into his living tomb. And she hired the most talented
artists and craftsmen of the time to create the most magnificent tomb in the world to
house his remains.
ARTEMISIA,
It was around 350 BC and Pytheos, the designer of the Athena temple at Priene
was the starchitect of the era. Artemisia commisioned him to supervise the architectural
design of the memorial, and the glorifying reliefs to embellish it were left to the hands of
Bryaxis, Leochares, Scopas, and Timotheus, each responsible for decorating one side of
the gigantic marble structure.
AND
The sepulchral monument standing 45 metres tall on a hill overlooking the
Halicarnassus took three years to built. It was one of the tallest structures of its time,
with 24 different layers featuring beautiful friezes and columns. Pytheos also sculpted
the crowning piece, a four-horse chariot to stand atop the structure. The result was not
only a showpiece of beauty, artistic and architectural ambition, but also of the purest
and rarest kind of love. An elaborate monument constructed on the lamentations of a
I’LL CALL YOU
heart-broken widow who wanted it to be as big as her grief for her husband.
Unfortunately, Artemisia never had the chance to visit the monumental grave of
her husband, as she too died two years after him, before the tomb was completed. The
Mausoleum became ‘theirs’, the eternal home of Mausolus and Artemisia - the perfect
couple of the ancient World.
MAUSOLUS.
Now reckoned among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum
survived more or less intact throughout antiquity, but couldn’t resist to the heavy eath-
quakes of the middle ages. Today, there are only a few fragments remaining to indicate
that it once existed. Even the site itself, which is little more than an earth pit with a few
stones and column drums strewn about, has nothing to hint at what was once the great-
est tomb in the world.
But Artemisia’s love for Mausolus lingers on every inch of Halicarnassus’ ancient
soil, now called Bodrum.
Words ZEYNEP YENER
8 LIFESTYLE 9
The Fisherman “ I resembled the city to Aphrodite a little.
of Halicarnassus
In the early hours of the morning, she was born white from the sea.
The sun was holding her by the arms and taking her out of the sea.”
and Bodrum
— The Fisherman of Halicarnassus, from Blue Exile.
P
erhaps the most famous resident of Bodrum, Cevat Şakir Karaağaçlı was
a historian, humanist, and ecologist. An incredible storyteller, he was a
pursuer of dreams, and often he was dubbed as a modern Homer. His
inspiration was the sea, nature, and the Bodrum peninsula, which led to his
Mediterranean discourse that set the foundation for Bodrum’s current fame.
Born in Crete on April 17, 1886, to Mehmet Şakir Pasha, Ottoman High
Commissioner to Crete, and Sare İsmet Hanım, Cevat Şakir’s family was abundant
with talented artists and writers who would play important roles in the Turkish cultural
scene. Two of his sisters were Fahrelnisa Zeid and Aliye Berger, who would become
famed painters, while his niece Füreya, daughter of his eldest sister, went on to
become an inspiring ceramic artist. Coming from an excellent education, Alumni of
Robert College and Oxford University, he spoke many languages with commanding
fluency, including English, Arabic, French, Old and New Greek, and Latin. Then, he
The Fisherman of Halicarnassus moved to Italy to study painting after discovering that he did not want to pursue
(Halikarnas Balıkçısı)
Photograph Ara Güler
academic endeavors. He returned to the country with an Italian wife and child, which
Courtesy of Ara Güler Museum
his family did not approve of; this set a heated quarrel between Cevat Şakir and his
& Doğuş Group Words IŞIL İLKTER father leading to the death of his father.
10 LIFESTYLE 11
B EGINNING OF A LOVE AFFAIR
After the series of unfortunate events unfolded, he was exiled to this small Aegean town. He was supposed
to stay in the Bodrum Castle. However, the castle was in ruins. Instead, he settled in a distant fisherman’s
town, reporting each day to the police. He struggled to fit in here at first. Then, he realized that away from
modern life’s troubles, this place was a paradise. It was just what he needed. So, his lifelong love affair with
Bodrum began. “I resembled the city to Aphrodite a little. In the early hours of the morning, she was born
white from the sea. The sun was holding her by the arms and taking her out of the sea.” This is how Cevat
Şakir recounted his first meeting with Bodrum in his book “Blue Exile.” Up
Cevat Şakir wrote some of his works in this small coastal town and adopted the nickname The Fisherman of Halicarnassus
(Halikarnas Balıkçısı)
the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, based on Ancient Greek Halikarnassos for Bodrum. The use of word Photograph Ara Güler
fisherman is actually not an irony. Often, Cevat Şakir went fishing in Bodrum and spent time with the Courtesy of Museum & Doğuş Group
sponge divers. He even developed new tools for fishers. From its flora, sea currents, and winds, Cevat
Şakir dedicated himself to learn everything about Bodrum. He invested all his money in books about On the right
agriculture, seeds, and fishing practices. He looked after the town. Besides almost all citrus trees in Photography Jane Laroche
Bodrum, he planted 45 species of seeds and trees in Bodrum. Courtesy of SALT Research, IFEA
12 LIFESTYLE 13
BLUE VOYAGE TRADITION
He wanted more people to meet this beautiful coves that were impossible to reach through the
town, but there was a mishap. The transportation land and explored archaeological remains that were
means and roads in Bodrum back in the day were unnoticed. They witnessed the long-standing history
almost nonexistent. He had to try going around the and past of Asia Minor where it met the marine
peninsula by sea. Like Odysseus who ultimately culture. Assuming a lifestyle that fits the spirit of the
mastered the waters ruled by Poseidon, he wanted blue voyage, they abandoned the newspaper and the
to set out on a journey to learn about every cove radio; they slept at the deck and spent time fishing.
and creek on the Mediterranean and Aegean While the fundamentals of the blue voyage were “ If you come to the top of this hill, you will see Bodrum.
coastal line. This sparked the beginning of the first
of Blue Voyages. When his friends from Istanbul
placed, the friends continued producing poems,
novels, and articles on ancient cities. Do not think that you will leave the same person as when you arrived.
wanted to come and visit Bodrum, a solution
was found; the Fisherman and his best friend
Cevat Şakir’s eternal love and devotion to
nature and Bodrum continued until his last days.
To all those who came before you, it happened that way:
Paluko, sponge diver and octopus hunter, went to
İzmir by their sailboats to pick up their first blue
He greeted each part of this town with gratitude
and compassion. Recounted by a friend of the
they lost their hearts in Bodrum.”
passengers. A charming company was waiting: Fisherman, his last words were: “Nature has locked
Sabahattin Eyüboğlu, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, my hand at a crucial moment… I guess I am leaving.
Sabahattin Ali, the poet Fuad Ömer Keskinoğlu, Erol I will just say hello to the world and leave. I can — The Fisherman of Halicarnassus
Güney, his childhood friend Benya, Necati Cumalı smell flowers. Open the windows. I want to see the
and the Fisherman of Halicarnassus who knows the sun one last time. I want to see this unique land one
Aegean waters like the palm of his hand… last time. Hello children, hello World. Hello.”
The traditions of this first expedition
from İzmir to Gökova created the basis for others.
The Fisherman and his friends discovered bare
Houses from Bodrum streets.
Courtesy of SALT Research, Cengiz Bektaş Archive
LIFESTYLE 15
The tradition of boat building in Bodrum:
BODRUM
GULET
Words IŞIL İLKTER
Gulet designing is never easy, to build such wooden-crafted yachts requires pure knowledge,
which can only be obtained by consistent work, profound study, and years of experience.
The distinctive type of Bodrum Gulets can withstand the buffeting of the famous Mediterranean
waves and sail against the strong winds. While providing comfortable accommodation for both
guests and crew, it is a work of impeccable craft and a fast sailor.
Photography M. Erem Çalıkoğlu
Courtesy of SALT Research, Çalıkoğlu Family Archive
16 LIFESTYLE 17
Gulets were once used for sponge fishing and carrying wine and cargo between islands in the Aegean
Sea. Although the gulet itself is suitable for sailing in all seas, these Turkish boats come from a tradition
unique to Bodrum. It is deemed “unsinkable” because of the bottom of the hull is in the form of a
reversed S shape. Also, the hulls of this type of boats are completely handcrafted and made of wood.
Many of Bodrum's native boat builders learned their skill as apprentices to the late Ziya
Güvendiren, Bodrum's master boat builder who lived and worked here all of his life. Today's boat builders
pass on those same skills to their young apprentices who may one-day start yards of their own.
Mehmet Özyurt, a famous boat builder and one of the apprentices of Master Ziya, emphasized
that the semicircular stern of a gulet must be perfectly shaped and fitted. ‘Unless the builder gets that
right, he can’t make a gulet- even if he is a marine engineer,” says Master Mehmet. For him, building a
Bodrum Gulet is not just a question of calculation but a matter of developing a good eye for the job which
requires years of training.
Building a single gulet usually takes about one and a half years, including the making of the
cabins. When it comes to the kind of wood to be used in gulet making, there is a surprising answer.
Master Mehmet says that the type of wood doesn’t matter, but the timber must not be cut when it is
a new moon. Instead, it must be cut at a full moon during summer, whether it be pine, mulberry, or
mahogany.
THE VESSEL OF BLUE VOYAGE
Contemporary gulets, on the other hand, have become vessels of comfort more than a necessity. With
their modern appearances, the purpose of The Bodrum Gulet has become the most suitable boats for
shore excursions dubbed as “Blue Voyage” with their special design equipped with motor and sails.
Covering the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, this famous voyage was established quite by
a mistake when a few years after the foundation of the Turkish Republic, a political writer, Cevat Şakir
Kabaağaçlı, was exiled to Bodrum. The judges who sentenced Cevat Şakir to several years in the remote
port knew nothing of its lifestyle, which as Cevat Şakir found out, was something like paradise.
Today, most of Bodrum's boatyards are located in Içmeler, but there are also well-known
boatyards in Gümbet, Ortakent, Yalikavak, and Güllük. The singular design of Turkey’s indigenous vessel,
the gulet, blend practicality, and tradition in a relaxed style that embodies the Blue Voyage. With its
roomy deck at the stern, this traditional boat is perfect for passengers to savor the delights of cruising Photography M. Erem Çalıkoğlu
the inlets and coves. Whatever your interests, a cruise on a traditional gulet allows you to enjoy them at Courtesy of SALT Research,
the most leisurely and relaxing of paces. Çalıkoğlu Family Archive
C U L I N A R Y C U LT U R E 19
The Orange Jewel of Bodrum:
Bodrum Tangerine
Words IŞIL İLKTER
The orange jewel of this small Aegean town enchants with its incredible taste and smell. From
delicious desserts to beauty products, the Bodrum Tangerine is a fruit like no other. Inseparable from
Bodrum, the origin story of the very seeds of the unique tangerine begins miles away.
According to different records, the first seeds arrived in Anatolia by two different routes: the
seedless satsuma traveled to the shores of the Black Sea over the Caspian Sea and came to known
as the Rize Mandarin. On the other hand, the seeded type went across the Africas only to reach the
Greek islands. Then from Rhodes, it arrived Bodrum at the beginning of the 20th century.
The orchards of the Bodrum Tangerine stretch out on the abundant plains of Bitez, Ortakent,
Turgutreis, Gümüşlük, Yalıkavak, and Gölköy. The trees are middle-sized and have more branches
compared to other tangerine trees. Having approximately nineteen seeds in each fruit, the Bodrum
Tangerine is famed for its distinctive quality, unique aroma, and pleasant smell. It has a bright orange
color, coarse texture, and peels easily.
Taking in the beautiful, warm sun, Bodrum soil, and breezes throughout spring and summer, it
ripens between December and January. Although Bodrum is a fun town crowded by many locals and
tourists alike during summer, to relish this juicy orange gem, you should visit here again in winter.
Suppose you want to visit Bodrum in March or April. In that case, this time, the tangerine
orchards present a different view: even if fruitless, the white tangerine flowers emit a sweet odor that
will steep in your memory after you left this Aegean town.20 LIFESTYLE 21
Sunny, salty
keepsakes
Photographs BERKANT DEMİRBEK
Words ELA PERŞEMBE
The ever changing ‘74Escape Store & Gallery aims to highlight the creations of local artisans,
designers and artists, and embody the soul of every new location with each new edition.
This summer's Bodrum edition proudly focuses on local Turkish talent, whose brands are inspired
by the Mediterranean way of life. The selection of fashions, accessories and keepsakes celebrate
the sunlight and the sea, and salty memories of joyful escapes.22 LIFESTYLE 23
Vibrant, natural and laid-back, Mediterranean style originates
from a desire for authenticity, freedom and comfort. In a push-back
against homogeneity and mass-production, the coast of the culture
values personal and handmade goods, celebrating slow-living and
timeless design.
This edition of the ‘74Escape Store and Gallery brings together Among the selection, you’ll find traditional handwoven baskets
a joyful group of independent designers, many of whom adorned with textiles of the black sea coast, accessories,
have traveled far and wide, or even lived elsewhere, but who and jewels crafted by master artisans of the Grand Bazaar
feel a deep connection and passion for, and derive endless in Istanbul, home textiles hand-woven by women craftsmen
inspiration from the country they call home. and hand-loomed pieces by artisans from different regions of
Up This diverse group of designers that specialize in Turkey. Fresh and crisp linen dresses and handmade leather
Mehry Mu x ‘74Escape textiles, accessories, ready-to-wear fashions, leather goods, bags and shoes are complemented by terry cloth towels,
glass, and even aromatherapy channel their own vision and design objects, and silk scarves - all produced locally and in
On the right
Decorative Glass stories into their brands, whilst also drawing on the influences limited quantity.
Pineapple of Turkish heritage. Celebrating tradition and craftsmanship,
Fy-shan Glass Studio
and valuing sustainability and ethical production methods
Cushions whilst pushing the envelope and producing original designs,
Ethnicloom they represent a new generation of Turkish creative production.24 LIFESTYLE 25
BAG MISELA
JEWELLERY FIDELLE26 LIFESTYLE
BAG BAGO
SCARF RUMISU28 LIFESTYLE The selection of fashions, accessories and keepsakes celebrate the sunlight and the sea, and salty memories of joyful escapes. Brands amongst the curated selection include: Anais Margaux, Anim, Aslı Filinta, Bago, Begum Khan, Couth, Dice Kayek, Ethnicloom, Ethnicloom x DNY, Fidelle, Fy-shan Glass Studio, Gül Hürgel, Homemade Aromaterapi, Kai Vrosi, Lar Studio, Lokal Hareket, Lug Von Siga, Mah-Roc, March To Shine, Marche İstanbul, Mehry Mu, Misela, Nackiye, Ninon, Piece of White, Rumisu, R2P, Saye, Serena Uziyel, Siedres, and more. BAGS ‘ 74ESCAPE COLLECTION
30 LIFESTYLE
SHIRT RUMISU
DECORATIVE OBJECTS FY-SHAN GLASS STUDIO32 A R T S & C U LT U R E 33
A Selection Of Contemporary Ceramics From Turkey
Ceramic Works
Photographs BERKANT DEMİRBEK
Words ELA PERŞEMBE
Emerging from unprecedented times with a stronger sense of unity and solidarity, the
’74Escape Store & Gallery champions our wonderful homegrown talent. “Ceramic Works”
features a selection of intuitive and expressive ceramic pieces by artists atorie bu, Ayşe Tanman,
Gülsüm Uzel,Hüseyin Artık, Mesut Öztürk, Metin Ertürk, Pınar Baklan, and Zeynep Severge.
On the following pages, we spoke with the participating artists to learn about how the recent
lockdown affected their practice, and about the pieces they exhibited in the '74Escape selection.
On the right “NO.102 & NO.104” by Mesut Öztürk34 A R T S & C U LT U R E
atorie bu
“Each clay type has a particular characteristic and this is a very
special quality for the material. That is why seeking potentials
while working with clay is exciting for me.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
BK I used this period to rest a little bit, to slow down, to take some time
to research, to contemplate longer, to prioritize rightful thinking, new lists,
new priorities… At the beginning of the new year, I was in search of a new
order for my curiosity and ever ending questions concerning ceramic. Being
in a constant search for producing new things, new materials, minerals,
or experiencing new techniques can be tiring sometimes. Throughout the
lockdown, accompanied by the bird noises, I started to think of a new order
and started building it. I think that I started to create more refined and
focused collections. Even though I respect the ceramic culture very much, I
feel that I started to push aside some of its rules.
E How did you cross paths with ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
BK Of course through Instagram, considering the lockdown period we’ve
been going through. ISTANBUL’74 reached out to me about a new selection,
focused on contemporary Turkish ceramic artists, which will take place in
Bodrum. Their effort and belief concerning the project in these hard times
is very inspiring. We are very happy to be part of it.
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
What were your inspirations while creating these works?
atorie bu is a workspace and showroom
of Buket Kınalıkaya based in Istanbul.
BK We prepared a new collection of ceramics for ‘74Escape Store &
atorie bu began as an archive for
Gallery centering the texture and natural minerals and oxides, just as in our experiments in material research,
other works. Since the exhibition is taking place in Bodrum, we blended a ceramic glaze applications and clay
little bit of blue, a pinch of green, and a touch of yellow. We are hiking twice mixtures then turned into a small-scale
ceramic production studio welcoming
a week. Watching nature, examining flowers, and taking a walk affect me in a every side of the spectrum: from
very positive way. After two days, two hours, the land you stepped your foot functional to purely artistic.
on is never the same as before. Hundreds of years old oak trees, chestnut
trees, symmetry, chaos, ecosystem… Nature does not apologize and does not On the right
look for flaws, it just exists! I remind myself of this more often now. Coiled Form36 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Ayşe Tanman
“My pebble bowls are inspired by the space where they are being
displayed at- the color green reflects the Bodrum’s rich flora,
and the color blue reflects the color of the Aegean sea.
My black reef vases resemble the reefs and sea urchins.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
AT I found the opportunity to create more in the lockdown period. I set
up a new atelier at my home. Working hard is like a therapy to me. Working
with natural materials and producing lasting work made me feel good. It
helped me to get over this period more easily.
E How did you cross paths with ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
AT ’74Escape is nurtured by the passion for discovering new places,
cultures, and people. Through their work, they managed to unite 8 unique
local artists in their gallery. It is a pleasure to be part of this kind of project
where every artist has their own unique style.
Ayşe Tanman is a ceramic artist based in
Istanbul. She has been making ceramics
for 10 years. Since 2018 she has been
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery? focusing on one-of-a-kind ceramics
What were your inspirations while creating these works? under the name Ayşe Tanman Ceramics.
She focuses on simple and timeless
forms with ceramics that she creates by
AT Maçakızı Hotel, where the ’74Escape Store & Gallery is located, is
hand. Tableware becomes objects of art
one of the best places which reflects the dreamy Mediterranean spirit and with the artist's touch.
Bodrum. Pebble bowls are inspired specifically by the space where they are
being displayed- the color green reflects the hotel’s rich flora, and the color On the right
blue reflects the color of the sea. My black reef vases resemble the reefs and Peble Bowl
sea urchins. Blue & Green38 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Gülsüm Üzel
“When creating ceramics, I think about the colors and forms of
our emotions. Our emotions are in constant flux so, the ceramic
works emerge as a result of this interaction.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
GÜ It made me free. Although it began tackling with anxiety and dark
emotions, during this period my feelings started to evolve and evolve into
its new colors and textures, making myself to discover my own limits, and
challenging myself in this new emotional space. The outcome was breathing
works and colors that were free. I guess while playing with the feeling of
being free, the interception with this project, which also has a free spirit,
was inevitable.
Gülsüm Üzel is a ceramic artist based in
Istanbul. She also teaches ceramic art at
a private atelier in Istanbul. She draws
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery? her main inspiration from the unique
humane emotional patterns originating
What were your inspirations while creating these works?
within ourselves and reflected to the
outer world.Her works are currently
GÜ While I am creating my works, I turn inward, and work with different being displayed in London & Istanbul.
states of emotions and find out how I express myself… By exploring the limits
of various complex emotional states that have different effects on the human
On the right
mind, I am portraying the emotional reflections on clay and the stories they Dark Blue Bowl
tell. In this sense, ‘74 is a free and breathing platform which allows us to Sky Vase
showcase some of these stories. Iceland Vase Small40 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Hüseyin Artık
“Before I settled on simple forms, I searched for many different
clay types and alternative firing techniques. The feeling of that
simplicity always attracted me in some way. I tried to stay away
from the confusion as much as I could.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
Hüseyin Artik is an artist and potter
an artist? from Bursa in Turkey. He has gained an
international reputation working with
HA It modified into some kind of an isolation period and nurtured my
brands around the world. His strong
creativity, I started to spend more time in the atelier. visual aesthetic always focuses on clean,
crisp lines and measured proportion.
In his current work he has focused his
making on just using porcelain, where he
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
pushes the material to its absolute limits
What were your inspirations while creating these works? with complex large-scale bottles and
strong curvaceous bowls.
HA My work is a combination of eliminated forms and pieces that talk the
same language. You can see my bottles, bowls, and some jars on display at
On the right
‘74Escape Gallery & Store. While creating these works, I am mostly inspired Short Bottle #1
by Japanese modern ceramic art and Scandinavian minimalism. The majority Long Bottle #1
of my works are white porcelain fired in high heat. Tall Bottle #142 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Mesut Öztürk
“While designing the Halka series, I imagined them as members
of one family; but I wanted each to be different, like a community
of people.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
MÖ After getting over the first shock of the lockdown by staying at
home, I slowly started to visit the atelier. The lack of distractions helped
me to concentrate on my work. In this way, I produced many vases and
created new designs. Slowly, I started to lose my motivation for creating all
by myself. I guess we all understood how we needed each other and social
encounters for cultivating ourselves.
E How did you cross paths with ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
MÖ I collaborated with ISTANBUL’74 before on a small series of their
“At Home with ISTANBUL’74’s Creative Community” Instagram project. This
opportunity was inevitable for me, where ‘74Escape intersected with the After pursuing architectural degrees in
sun, Mediterranean themes, and my Halka vases. college, Mesut Öztürk realized that his
true passion was ceramic art. Mesut
launched his signature series, the
Halka Vase Collection in 2019. Halka
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery? is an ongoing project composed of
What were your inspirations while creating these works? one-of-a-kind, handmade, collectible
vases inspired by prehistoric artifacts of
MÖ The 99th and 104th of the Halka Vases are being showcased at the Mediterranean civilizations.
gallery. These ceramics have some distinctive features from the previous
ones. I acknowledge these 5 vases as the first stage of my new series, leading On the right
me to use asymmetric grips and dual colors more often. NO. 10344 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Metin Ertürk
“When a viewer takes my ceramic work to their home, it
transforms into an individual. In other words, you are reflected
on the surface of that ceramic form as a shadow silhouette.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist? Having worked at the Michel François
Porcelain in England and been trained
ME The period did not affect me that much. Just like everybody else, I in studio pottery, award-winning
continued my life between my home and atelier. I had to keep away from my ceramic artist Metin Ertürk opened his
first solo exhibition in Japan in 2016,
atelier even. Rather than focusing on creativity, I was more into questioning
he graduated his master's degree at
life itself and reevaluating my values. Hacettepe University with his thesis on
Terra Sigillata Slip in 2019, which was
published in America, Thailand, and the
UK. While giving workshops in Istanbul,
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery?
Erturk continues clay throwing class and
What were your inspirations while creating these works? his Ph.D. in arts at the Ceramic and Glass
Design Department at Mimar Sinan Fine
ME The forms that I built in the wheel meet with its viewers. My forms Arts University.
are sculptures that tell both individual and universal stories. The wheel is
no different from the world itself. As the wheel turns, the form that I am On the right
building reflects the individuals that I observe and my feelings. Individual46 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Pınar Baklan
“Instead of challenging the material, it is necessary to obey the
rules of the material. Ceramic is a material that develops us,
actually it teaches itself to us. That's why I continue learning to
discover what ceramics has to offer each day.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
PB Honestly, I did not think about being creative while the world is
going through such a challenging time. Managing my academic career far
from the university, the students, and the art studios and carrying out my
work from home made me question the education system once again. At the
same time, it gave me the opportunity to find my inner peace, to make new
decisions, and to create more. I turned my balcony into an atelier, which
has the view of student dormitories that were used as quarantine rooms,
hosting people who are coming from overseas and dispatching new cases
every day to hospitals through ambulances. Ceramic materials and my
techniques formed upon the norms that I have been questioning through After completing her studies from the
this period. Ceramics Department at Fine Arts
Faculty, Hacettepe University, ceramic
artist Pınar Baklan creates unique and
figurative forms through working with
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery? visual elements like color, texture,
What were your inspirations while creating these works? lines, dots and light, and creates
optical illusions with her designs that
PB The works that are on display at ’74Escape Store & Gallery are aim to create awareness of nature,
the new ones that I produced in my balcony-atelier, during the lockdown environment and activism. She received
nine awards, one of which is a research
period. They are called ‘Us’ and ‘Just Us’. It is a narration of being ‘one’, being scholarship allocated for a three-
together, completing each other, being a meaningful and beautiful unity month period by Polish Government in
with our differences, and completing the cycle together, portrayed through April, 2013.She has been working at
Ceramics and Glass Design Department
ceramic material. I tried to navigate through the dead ends within my self- at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Erciyes
quarantine days with ceramic clay, where my anxiety was accompanied by University since 2012.
eternal hope, leading me to reevaluate even more upon the meanings of
talking, listening, the cycle, the dialogue, communication and completing On the right
each other. And these works came about. Biz48 A R T S & C U LT U R E
Zeynep Severge
“The inspiration for my collection at ’74Escape Store & Gallery is
'women'. Each form is handcrafted, and each one has different
sizes, angles, widths, and flaws. Klein blue pigment complements
the forms perfectly. As an independent woman and women’s
rights advocate, it couldn't be more meaningful to me.”
E How did the lockdown period affect you and your creativity as
an artist?
ZS In the beginning, when I was scared of commuting to my atelier, I
brought the clay to my home and continued to create on my kitchen table,
discovering new techniques that I did not have a chance to try before.
During the lockdown, I was at my atelier. We did ceramics with my friends
that were also there and healed together. Throughout these stressful times,
we felt that dealing with clay was very calming. And as we felt it, we shared
it and made more. We are very lucky.
severj was founded in 2017 with a
E What kind of work will be featured in ’74Escape Store & Gallery? deep appreciation for objects and
making process and the aim of creating
What were your inspirations while creating these works? quality work that highlights the beauty
of natural and hand-made products.
ZS I do the majority of my work in the lathe. I like to proceed as I Based in Galata, Istanbul, severj
experiment, and develop the forms that I have liked. The biggest inspiration offers ceramic + porcelain collections
for my collection showcased in the ‘74Escape Store & Gallery is ‘women’. while experimenting with the wheel,
machines, clay forms, plaster, stains,
The vase’s name is also Woman Vase. There are lots of women ceramic artists and chemicals. severj offers an array of
that I follow from all around the world. There is a tradition where everybody everyday ceramic serveware and home
has to make their own “Woman Vase,” and this one is mine. Each “Woman” decor objects — to evoke a sense of joy
through the commitment to design and
is produced by hand, one by one, and every one of them has different sizes, produce functional products; pleasant
angles, widths, and flaws. During my Marrakech trip, I discovered the blue to look at and to hold.
color that I use in my work. Klein blue pigment complements the forms
perfectly. It’s mesmerizing to look at. As an independent woman and a On the right
women’s rights advocate, it could not be more meaningful for me. Totem Vase50 FA S H I O N 51
JOURNEY
INTO OUR
CULTURE
Creative Director DEMET MÜFTÜOĞLU EŞELİ
Photographs CAN BÜYÜKKALKAN
Words ELA PERŞEMBE
Our very first 74Escape Summer Campaign is all about celebrating the spirit of
the Turquoise Coast. Hazy summer days, salty breeze, and sun-kissed shoulders..
Infinite summer skies, the sounds of cicadas and salty memories..
Join us on this great escape on the Turkish Riviera.
On the right ’74ESCAPE COLLECTION52 FA S H I O N 53
“Escapes in Bodrum are all about indulging in the luxuriously
slow pace of life, in carefree days and in spontaneous nights..
The peninsula is lush and green, the waters are turquoise, and
the Aegean Meltemi breeze means evenings are often cool and
comfortable. The creations found at the ‘74Escape Store & Gallery
reflect this easy, joyful, and inspired way of life.”
An elegant but breezy Lug Von Siga dress thrown on painter Henri Rousseau as well as the untouched Tahitian
effortlessly immediately achieves the ideal Bodrum look. paradises painted by Paul Gauguin.
So expertly cut, with romantic ruffles, intricate embroidery, The ultimate staple of a Mediterranean escape is
and playful trimmings, these light cotton pieces are flirty undoubtedly anything of crisp white linen or cotton poplin, a
and feminine, while somehow equally simple and laid-back. concept around which Turkish fashion house Piece of White
Designer Gül Ağış’s every piece is born from new dreams and has based its entire philosophy. There’s nothing more divine
destinations, all deeply rooted in her cultural heritage, and than cool white cotton against sun-kissed skin on a warm
collections have focused on imaginings as far fetched and evening, and the brand’s pieces offer contemporary twists
wonderful as Frida Kahlo living in Istanbul. on classic designs. Simply cut white linen dresses are made
Rumisu’s whimsical silk pieces add a pop of color instantly sophisticated and modern by pulling down a playful
to any outfit, with hand-drawn illustrations by co-founders balloon sleeve off the shoulder. Paired with a glittering jewel-
Deniz Yeğin İkiışık & Pınar Yeğin. The designers treat silk as encrusted Begüm Khan earring and the outfit is ready to hit
a blank canvas, bringing childlike wonder to the everyday Bodrum’s most coveted evening spots. Bringing together
through colorful stories and characters. Exotic, busy green mystical eastern influences with modern elegance, the
On the left prints of the new collection are escapes in and of themselves, earrings are bold and dazzling, each one handmade by
SAYE Kimono conjuring the lush and dreamy jungles painted by French master artisans of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.54 FA S H I O N
“Warm breezes,
and soft hazy days under
the Mediterranean sun.”
More irresistible light linens are found amongst the dresses of Gül Hürgel, with collections inspired
by the olive strewn hills and villages of Mediterranean coasts. The dresses are the epitome of
timeless summer style, with soft pastel palettes and lovely embroidery.
Amongst some of the most exciting newcomers, transcontinental lifestyle brand ANIM
offers terry towel robes and unique home textiles with sunny and sensual character through
cheerful primary colors, and surprising textures and embroidery. The brand’s approach is deeply
rooted in the nomadic spirit of Turkish culture, infusing its wares with design elements borrowed
from cultural influences from both near and far. Another fresh young talent is LAR Studio, an art
accessories brand with an eclectic world of prints, forms and patterns all drawn by designer Laris
Alara Kilimci. Exotic colorful prints on pareos, scarves and bandanas recall the enticing worlds of
Matisse’s cut-outs and Picasso’s prints. One of this year’s favorite designs, the Halikarnas print, is
an ode to the long lost soul of the notorious and legendary Bodrum discotheque.
Each and every brand at the ‘74Escape Store & Gallery invites you into a world of dynamic
visual imagery and inspiration, built on dreams of escapes and stories of different cultures. We
could fill a whole magazine with a story on every single one of them, but for now, head to the back On the right
of this issue to find more information on all of the participating designers! RUMISU Dress56 FA S H I O N
DRESS PIECE OF WHITE
JEWELLERY BEGUM KHAN58 D E S I G N E R S M EF E
ATS H
T IHOEND E S I G N E R S
“Crystal clear
turquoise waters.”
SWIMSUIT ANAIS MARGAUX60 FA S H I O N
DRESS LUG VON SIGA
HAT ’74ESCAPE COLLECTION62 FA S H I O N 63
POUF ETHNICLOOM
DRESSES SAYE
HAT ’74ESCAPE COLLECTION64
DRESS GÜL HÜRGELFA S H I O N 67 “On a backdrop of the cerulean blue waters of the Aegean.” TOWEL ANIM LIVING BAGS MISELA, BAGO, ’ 74ESCAPE COLLECTION SHIRT PIECE OF WHITE PAREO LAR OFFICIAL JEWELLERY MER’S
68 FA S H I O N
On the left
DRESS NACKIYE
JEWELLERY BEGUM KHAN
On the right
DRESS GÜL HÜRGEL
JEWELLERY FIDELLE70 FA S H I O N
DRESS NACKIYE
BAG MEHRY MU
JEWELLERY BEGUM KHAN72
HAT ’ 74ESCAPE COLLECTION74 FA S H I O N JUMPSUIT PIECE OF WHITE BAG BAGO PAREO RURU GRAFIK
76 FA S H I O N
“Celebrating and
championing
Turkish talent.”
DRESS DICE KAYEK X ‘ 74ESCAPE78 FA S H I O N 79
Words & Photographs DEMET MÜFTÜOĞLU EŞELİ
“Bodrum, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, was the
ESC
perfect spot for this summer's edition of '74Escape Store & Gallery.
A real meeting point of cultures, where the extraordinarily rich
heritage of our country can be felt, here the dream of '74Escape
has come alive.”
APE
TO S
hooting local designers this summer for the ‘74Escape
Campaign, and the opportunity to tell the story of these
wonderful homegrown brands, of the store and of my
beloved Bodrum was a project truly close to my heart.
And after months of city life and quarantine, an escape to the
NAT
south was a much-needed and welcome respite. On the enchanting
evergreen peninsula, our mood shifted instantly.
The ease and leisure of the Bodrum pace of life made it easy
to reunite with friends after many months. We found ourselves
inspired and energized by one another's refreshed spirits, renewed
sense of solidarity and appetite for collaboration and cooperation.
Spending time at home, on these carefree days that gave
way to impromptu gatherings with friends new and old, an idea for
another, more organic shoot for the '74Escape STORE & GALLERY
was born. With much excitement and a commitment to lend their
URE
support to bolster local talent and brands, dearest Melisa Tapan
Sabancı and Selin Selgur joined me one day to play dress-up with
some of our favorite pieces.
Inspired by the natural setting, with rugged rocks,
sandalwood and citrus trees and a panoramic view of the Aegean,
we selected airy cotton dresses, handcrafted jewelry, handmade
leather shoes, and prints inspired by Anatolian culture... The shoot
was dynamic, simple and raw, shot completely on iPhone, and
uninhibited by heavy equipment.
With traditional sleepy fishing villages still intact, but
sophisticated and glamorous spots on its very corner, Bodrum,
where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, was the perfect spot for
this summer's edition of ‘74Escape Store & Gallery. A real meeting
point of cultures, where the extraordinarily rich heritage of our
country can be felt, here the dream of ‘74Escape has come alive.FA S H I O N 81
SUNNY
JUMPSUIT FARAWAY
BAG BAGO82 FA S H I O N FA S H I O N 838 3
JUMPSUIT FARAWAY
BAG BAGOFA S H I O N 85
SALTY
DRESS & SKIRT RUMISU
TOP FARAWAYFA S H I O N 87 DRESSES LUG VON SIGA
88 FA S H I O N 89
SPIRIT
DRESSES LUG VON SIGAFA S H I O N 91 DRESSES DICE KAYEK X ‘ 74ESCAPE
FA S H I O N 93
JOURNEY
DRESS & SKIRT RUMISU
TOP FARAWAY94 FA S H I O N 95
KIMONOS SAYE
JEWELLERY MAE ZAE
HAT ESLI DESIGN
SUNGLASSES MEMO SUNGLASSES96 T R AV E L 97
the
MAÇAKIZI
STORY
Words HANDE OYNAR
A Bodrum love story that started humbly in the 70s and became
a magnet for beauty seekers everywhere today...98 T R AV E L 99
“Bodrum was my freedom.”
— Ayla Emiroğlu
W
hen Ayla Emiroglu moved here in 1977, there was little more
than a few simple houses, cars and stray cats in Bodrum. It was
a couple of thousand years after Homer talked about the “wine-
dark sea” of the Aegean, but the sprawling peninsula adorned
with its sweet orange and lime trees still possessed that ancient beauty,
a faint decadence where the blinding rays of the sun meet the immersive
blue of the sea and the sky. “Bodrum was my freedom,” says Emiroglu,
the enchanting owner of Maçakızı, the hotel that helped made this town a
destination for the global glitterati.
Maçakızı is the Queen of Spades, a symbol of intelligence and
beauty that, in fact, inspired a fellow Bodrum lover to name the hotel for Ms.
Emiroglu. Infused with her sophisticated, yet subtle style, what started as a
small pension in downtown Bodrum turned into one of the most cherished
temples of laid-back luxury in the Mediterranean. Her magnetic personality
created an atmosphere that drew crowds of intellectuals and artists to this
quaint little town. Where else could you run into Ahmet Ertegün, Mick Jagger
and Nureyev having a lavish lunch by the sea but Ayla’s table...
Emiroglu was the headmistress, the boss lady that talked to the
wildflowers on her property and disciplined her staff without so much as
an admonishment. She worked with the same people for years, and they
loved her. She fed the most basic staples of Turkish home cooking to the
wealthiest, and they loved it. They loved it so much that they would follow
her wherever she went - even to the first ever beach club she opened in a far- On the right
flung bay, inaccessible by any other mode of transportation but boat. Ayla Emiroglu and her friends100 T R AV E L “Infused with Ayla Emiroğlu’s sophisticated, yet subtle style, what started as a small pension in downtown Bodrum turned into one of the most cherished temples of laid-back luxury in the Mediterranean.”
102 T R AV E L 103
“I think what separates Bodrum from other parts of
Turkey is the weather. No humidity, wonderful weather
that goes all year round. We swim comfortably from April
to December. If you come from a major city like New York
or Istanbul, you would be drunk here on oxygen in a day.”
— Sahir Erozan
T
hen came along her son, Sahir Erozan, who had been writing his
own success story in a different part of the world, in Washington
D.C. He was the maverick that created several hip restaurants
and clubs in the U.S. capital. He vaguely remembered the smell
of jasmine in the garden of his mother’s little pension in Bodrum. But it was
during a trip in the early 1990’s that he fell in love with the peninsula again
and decided to work with his mother first in her second beach club project
in Gölköy, and then the property that we know and love today as Maçakızı
Hotel in Türkbükü.
Erozan married his mother’s authentic, rustic style with his own
vision of contemporary luxury. Rooms were renovated with the demands of
a new generation of travelers in mind. The menu was updated with flavors
from around the world as a result of Erozan’s travels with his executive
chef, Aret Sahakyan. There were many changes to adapt the hotel to the
changing times but one crucial aspect remained the same: the boho-chic
spirit of Bodrum Ayla Emiroglu has cultivated since the beginning. That
social club vibe where no one bats an eye at a celebrity basking in the sun,
where the staff knows everyone by their name and you get to chat all day
with the owner smoking his cigar at the bar. And that proved to be the best
recipe to attract a loyal following around the world, who whisper to each
other that Maçakızı is the summer home they love coming back to every
year. And so the legend goes.
The Maçakızı family is now growing with the addition of Villa
Up
Maçakızı and Maçakızı Halas 71, which expand the legendary Maçakızı
Sahir Erozan
hospitality tradition into new experiences. With its 10 elegantly designed
rooms and impeccable cuisine executed by Carlo Bernardini, Villa
Maçakızı is your ultimate private summer villa for bespoke occasions and
uforgettable vacations in Bodrum. And the newest addition Maçakızı Halas
71 is a sophisticated yacht available for chartering and special events all
year round featuring Carlo Bernardini’s unique culinary expertise.104 C U L I N A R Y C U LT U R E
Q&A with “I had a passion for food as a child,
cooking with my aunt and my mother in
Chef Vera Loulou her kitchen, then watching my uncle who
and the was a Chef create magic in his kitchen.”
Executive Chef — Aret Sahakyan
of Maçakızı Hotel
Aret Sahakyan
A B O U T V E R A LO U LO U
Born in Russia and raised in NYC, I moved to Paris to pursue
my gastronomic dreams as well as to meet the city’s most
renowned chefs. In the process, I learned an absurd amount
about French culinary traditions. I became an expert on food
shopping and making sauce au poivre; I could also tell you
where to eat the best steak tartare (Voltaire), and maybe even
introduce you to Alain Passard.
E Tell me a little bit about your background E What are the challenges of running a E How has the restaurant scene evolved in
and when you first discovered passion for hotel restaurant? Bodrum in the last 10 years?
food and cooking? AS I don't think of Maca Kizi as hotel restaurant, AS When I arrived to Bodrum 20 years ago there
AS I had a passion for food as a child, cooking yes we are here to provide a service for the hotel were only few notable fish restaurants. I would consider
with my aunt and Mother in her kitchen, then guest, but a majority of our clients do not stay at myself one of the pioneers of fine dining in Bodrum.
watching my uncle who was a Chef create magic in the hotel thankfully over the past 20 years we have Over the years we have seen great chefs and restaurants
his kitchen. become a destination for diners. came along and contribute to the culinary seen.
The biggest challenges for us as with
E Who was your biggest influence and what any restaurant is finding and keeping good staff, E Words of advice for young chefs?
were your formative experiences in your especially since we are seasonal, to stay with AS Have passion, ambition but don’t try to run
career? in budget and to keep up with the mounds of before you can walk. Start with basics, respect your
AS Chef Yannick Cam who was from Brittany, paperwork. Chef. Listen carefully, have a good attitude. Be ready
France. He was one of the pioneers of Nouvelle to make sacrifices, specially from your social life.
cuisine in United States. During the years that I E What is the experience you hope to
worked with him to see his cooking to turn to an art impart on your diners through your cooking? E What are your predictions for the future
on his plates influence me the most. AS To experience culinary joy, dining experience of restaurants and dining?
and satisfaction. AS I am optimistic that industry as a whole is
E Where do you get your inspiration from? gonna survive. The way that people dine is gonna
AS The local produces, herb and spices. The E What do you think is the biggest change, so we have to be more innovative even we
land, the sea all created a unique taste that particular misconception about Turkish cuisine? have to change our business models. Par-prepared
to the region. AS That Turkish cuisine is all kebabs, doner meals, which consumer can take home and cook on
and rice. Actually the cuisine is very vegetable the stove. Even restaurants creating markets that can
E Do tell your food philosophy. driven, where else can you find over 30 ways to serve consumers with fresh vegetables, cut of meats
AS Keep it simple and sustainable freshest prepare eggplant also Turkey is a peninsula we cook and fish. Even special cooking utensils more home
ingredients, let the ingredients shine on there own. a lot of fish. catered events could be the business model as well.106 T R AV E L 107
Escapes
An Escape At Home
by Rafael Cemo Çetin
Istanbul is a city of constant juxtaposition.
It’s filled with contradictions. It seems
chaotic and hard to navigate, but once you
figure out the loop holes and establish
yourself as an Istanbulite, it can be one of
the most practical, glamorous, inexpensive
and exciting places to live.
The Grand Bazaar is a place
I cherish. I feel the spirit of ancient
Constantinople echoing there. I design and
produce my jewelry there. I’ve been going
for years now and have become what
is known as an “esnaf” which basically
means a local artisan. I love the chaos,
the hidden cultural gems (both literally
and metaphorically), hunting for antique
Ottoman and Byzantine pieces, the
complimentary turkish coffee and all the
other glamour the city has to offer.
If Büyükada counts as the city
I highly recommend checking out the
Splendid Hotel on the Princes’ Islands.
It truly is a hidden gem that most people
don’t appreciate. The food is exquisite and
the design is something out of a 1950’s
hotel from the Italian amalfi coast.
’74Escape is first and foremost a community platform, where we share the travels and tips
of world travelers, chefs, art enthusiasts, creatives, wellness experts and many many more.
This collaborative space is now a treasure trove of shared experiences and journeys to take
inspiration from! For this special issue that celebrates Bodrum, the Mediterranean and the rich
cultural heritage of our home country, delve into three recent escapes shared from friends
in our community. Appreciate the wonders of Istanbul with Rafael Cemo Çetin, revel in the
beauty and spontaneity of the coasts with İrem Ersoy, and discover the ancient sites of
the country with Kezban Arca Batıbeki...108 T R AV E L 109
A Spontaneous A Roadtrip Through
& Carefree Trip Anatolia
Through The South by Kezban Arca
by Irem Ersoy Batıbeki
We were almost convinced that we
Every Escape of my life has made a great certainly wouldn’t be able to travel at all
impact and has had special meanings this year, and then alas summer arrived..
for me. However, this last trip I went on And we were finally able to
was the most unforgettable because it is embark upon our latest roadtrip. We began
almost post-corona time and the idea of with a short stay with friends at Olympos
getting out of the city we’ve been stuck Lodge, for a sea holiday.. Nonetheless, we
in for months seems the best. To explore thought, as we are driving, we may as well
the natural beauty of the country that I take this opportunity to stop by important
live in was truly amazing. ancient sites we hadn’t yet had the chance
This trip was all about to visit. We mapped a route through
spontaneity and each member of the these ancient cities, and also revised and
group contributed amazing energy. We re-routed as we went along. The cities,
started in Bodrum, where we stayed in hotels and ruins were also quite secluded
a camping area called the EcoFarm in and empty, we had no trouble finding
Gümüşlük for 3 nights. The tangerine places, and this made the trip all the more
and lemon trees cast a shadow area for enjoyable.
the tents and it is the most important thing I love to drive, and to be honest,
when the heat is taken into account under I was really surprised by the quality of our
the mid-summer sun. roads. The top points of our journey were
Next we stayed at a beautiful the traces of the past cultures of Western
camping site called Pastoral Vadi in Anatolia in Aizanoi, Sagalassos, Aphrodisias
Fethiye, where only the volunteers work. and Birgi Village (which is temporarily on the
The place was built by an architect who UNESCO World Heritage list) and of course
decided to work on ecological building the Antalya and Aphrodisias museums.
constructions. Being in a jungle, away The lovely long conversations we
from the city made me realize how fast had with old friends that we haven’t seen
we live and consume. Here we visited for months, at Olympos Lodge, were also a
the rock-cut tombs in Kaunos and Iztuzu highlight.
Beach. People always wonder how the Although we are familiar with the ancient
Egyptian pyramids were made and I cities from their photos, seeing the original
think these architectural masterpieces ruins was truly shocking and mesmerizing.
must raise the same question. The 5000 year old Sagalassos Ancient City
Our last stop was Kaş, where at 1750 altitude is still there and standing.
we spent a day in Kekova, Üçağız where At this height, the question of how
we canoed around the rocks and found buildings and sculptures were built with
beautiful spots for photo shooting! such magnificent stonework is still turning
in my head. Again dating to 5000 B.C.,
Aphrodisias, which became a small village
in the Menderes valley as it gradually grew
into the City State, and Aizonai, which
belongs to the 2nd century AD, spread
over a large area as the Episcopal Center
of the early Byzantine period. And they are
all within driving distance...You can also read
