The intertwined structure of KAICY, created by its founder Gamze Cizreli alongside interior architecture project designers Toros & Partners and corporate art consultant and curator Begüm Güney, is shaped by a unique vision. This space not only offers an aesthetic understanding but also brings to light the values reflecting the food, table, and culinary culture of the region it is located in.
Artworks and Artists
The artworks specially produced for KAICY introduce guests to the ancient knowledge and spirit of the region. The creations of various esteemed artists add a distinctive character to the ambiance of the venue.
Aslı Özer
Aslı Özer's artistic practice centers on the human body while questioning sociological and psychological behaviors and our place in ecology. She employs a variety of materials, including waste, plaster, metal, glass, wood, and textiles, to create both formal and conceptual depth in her works.
Artwork: Wise Observer
This piece reflects layers of meaning related to perception, consciousness, and awareness, originating from an abstraction of the eye form. The eye has historically been one of the most powerful symbols associated with wisdom, protection, and divine power. In this artwork, Özer utilizes approximately six hundred steel spoons to take the viewer beyond physical perception.
Hazal Haznedaroğlu
Hazal Haznedaroğlu aims to create new meanings in the viewer's mind by blending abstract painting elements with figurative components. She focuses on fluidity, energy, and emotion in her dynamic compositions using acrylic paint.
Artwork: Bring on the Light
The artist links the images she has defined as "The Wanderers in the Mind" with thought. This piece offers a sense of balance to the viewer through color transitions, repeating flows, and curves on the canvas surface. Haznedaroğlu drew inspiration for this work from Ursula K. Le Guin’s piece, "The Wave in My Mind," using the fluid and free form of water as her muse.
Hybrid
Hybrid focuses on themes of repetition, light, and darkness while questioning human nature and reality in their works. The intricate details within the compositions invite viewers to reevaluate reality.
Artwork: M No: 01
Composed of 13,294 handcrafted silver plexiglass pieces, this mosaic mirror serves not only as a reflective surface but also as an organic form that reshapes reality with every movement. The artist investigates the fragile relationship among what we see, remember, and imagine, transforming the individual's sense of self.
Şahika Altınsoy
Şahika Altınsoy approaches reality instinctively, considering the act of observing as a personal experience. In her works, variable color palettes and unplanned forms guide the viewer to find their own meanings.
Artwork: Triptych: Life Force
This triptych pays tribute to the uncontrollable power of life, highlighted by the delicate balance of the earth, sky, soil, and sun. The abstraction signifies the roots of existence while offering clues to our questions about life through what we see and think.
Taner Şekercioğlu
Taner Şekercioğlu's works address symbolic narratives of nature through multilayered conceptual landscapes. He creates profound meanings using materials such as paper, wood, and natural stone.
Artwork: SANA DA
Inspired by the nazar boncuğu (evil eye) motif that has been used in these lands for thousands of years, SANA DA deepens the circular structure of the eye form with layers, transforming into a light-bearing protector. It harmonizes with the venue's atmosphere of music, becoming both a protective and communicative symbol: "Whatever you wish for me, may it also be for you."
Designs and Crafting Touches Reflecting the Ancient Heritage of the Mediterranean
Nahide Büyükkaymakçı
Nahide Büyükkaymakçı's glass installation, placed at the heart of KAICY, is inspired by the leaves of the laurel tree, which remains green throughout the seasons in Hatay, and orange blossoms. These meticulously crafted glass pieces symbolize wisdom, peace, vibrancy, and resilience.
Neolonca
The handcrafted lime-wood trays produced by artisans from İskenderun showcase the agricultural and cultural heritage of Hatay, highlighted by motifs of the ancient Karkılçık wheat. Traditional Katremis Jars, once used for food storage, merge the venue's connection with the past and contemporary design.
Madame Malachite
Named after the malachite stone known for its properties of protection and transformation, the brand incorporates both the physical and symbolic qualities of this stone into its designs. Pieces featuring carefully crafted leather details provide functionality while also resembling artistic creations that beautify daily life. The eye motif on the service items designed and crafted meticulously for KAICY acts as both a protective "eye," inspired by the protective qualities of malachite, and creates an aesthetic emphasis that purifies spaces from negative energy.
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