Letter to a Friend
Bir Dosta Mektup

Exhibition text and curation: Yazın Öztürk
Organized by Dou Print Studio
Venue: Ka Atölye (Ankara/Turkey)
Dates: 05.11 - 05.12.2021

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Emerging from the seminal "Eureka!" moments that mold our environment, senses, and ideas, the exhibition "Letter to a Friend" intricately weaves together artists from diverse practices, employing an authentic production method that transcends individual artistic backgrounds. While each artwork intertwines the artist's theoretical and creative essence with the technical finesse of the master printer, exploring prevalent themes in their practices—such as space, nature, identity, memory, and time—they stand distinct, layered on 160-million-year-old stones. At the heart of this exhibition lies a profound reflection on the art of lithography, a technique with roots tracing back to Bavarian playwright Alois Senefelder's accidental and yet coincidental discovery. The exhibition contemplates the significance of lithography, a vital medium for artists, offering boundless possibilities and a unique fusion of craftsmanship and technology, and the technique, exploring its past as an artistic method that defies traditional boundaries and its role as a powerful medium for expression. It acknowledges the role of nature in shaping the lithographic process, highlighting the delicate dance between artistic intent and the inherent unpredictability of the medium.

Derived from a novel pivotal in linguistic history, where the term "coincidence" was first introduced to English readers by Sir Thomas Browne in the 1650s, in his work "A Letter to a Friend”, our edition of "Letter to a Friend" is a visual letter expressing gratitude to Alois on his 250th birthday. As the exhibition explores coincidental discovery has resonated through generations, movements, and realms, we embark on a journey that extends beyond the layers of stone, unveiling the profound impact of lithography on the art world and its enduring relevance in contemporary artistic expression.