Sanat ve Tasarım Dergisi

Abstract

Urban culture, when viewed historically, reflects the urban memory for individuals who
have grown up and gained experiences within it. Cities are the sum of architectural elements
that contain many spiritual values such as family, friendship and other relationships,
and they create a memory in individuals. Neighborhoods, streets and avenues develop with
this memory and sometimes take their names from their own experiences and spatial characteristics
and reach the present day. The memories in all these architectural elements are
reflected as a rich source of inspiration in contemporary art. In every field of contemporary
art today, countless works are encountered that have been created under the influence of
architectural and urban elements and even taken their names from these elements. Architecture,
which has a close relationship with ceramics, has also been frequently studied in
contemporary ceramic art as a theme with its structural and conceptual aspects. In this
context, the theme of urban memory has a serious interest, and an archive of works related
to the subject. The article first explores the theme of urban memory in the plastic arts, followed
by an analysis of its representation in ceramic art through selected works and artist
statements. Thus, the connection between the theme of urban memory and contemporary
art was revealed. Then, the experiences of the artists in producing works with the theme of
urban memory were personally experienced and the process was conveyed in detail. Thus,
the article was developed through the collection and interpretation of visual and literary
data, followed by the author’s direct engagement with the theme and presentation of the
creative process.