Doug Aitken’s Naked City Exhibition at Borusan Contemporary
Doug Aitken’s Naked City at Borusan Contemporary showcases a collection of seven artworks spanning from 2006 to 2024. Curated by Jérôme Sans, this exhibition in Istanbul delves into the theme of cities, exploring the modern condition and the paradoxical isolation prevalent in today’s hyperconnected world.
Four years after the onset of the global pandemic, which brought the world to a standstill, this exhibit delves into humanity’s intrinsic inclination towards mobility and its evolution in contemporary society. Balancing motion and immobility, speed and slowness, connection and solitude, the artworks on display aim to scrutinize how individuals navigate the urban, physical, digital, and emotional landscapes of our era. Addressing issues of loneliness, anonymity in sprawling metropolises, and the vast digital realm, the show seeks to provoke contemplation on the trajectory of humanity in response to the evolving modes of communication, connection, perception, and existence.
Originally showcased 17 years ago outside the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it adorned the exterior walls with projections, Aitken’s sleepwalkers (2007) is now presented indoors for the first time at Borusan Contemporary.
Welcoming visitors at the entrance is Ascending Staircase (2024), a permanent installation commissioned by the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection. This piece guides guests through the gallery spaces housing windows (2007), 3 Modern Figures (don’t forget to breathe) (2018), “Digital Detox” (2020), “Flags and Debris” (2021), and don’t think twice II (2006), a work from the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection. The exhibition layout creates a seamless journey through the architectural nuances of the building.
Situated in the historic Haunted Mansion in Istanbul, Borusan Contemporary is a hub for contemporary art, offering a diverse program of exhibitions, events, and educational initiatives based on the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection. Since 2011, the institution has been a catalyst for the creation of new artworks and publications through commissions and acquisitions.
For more information, please visit borusancontemporary.com.
