A Mirror of Sky within the Water's Fold emerges as a poignant exploration of the delicate balance between humanity and nature, focusing on the endemic plants and endangered bird species in the Sinop area of northern Turkey. The installation draws attention to critical reports from Doğa Derneği, a prominent environmental organization, which reveal alarming trends in habitat loss and its devastating effects on local bird populations.
As the forests dwindle, the ecological tapestry that supports these species unravels, threatening the survival of countless organisms vital for maintaining ecological harmony. The project weaves together the themes of biodiversity and cultural heritage, illustrated through mosaics inspired by Turkey’s rich archaeological history. This connection serves as a reminder of our intertwined fates—both nature and culture are fragile and deserving of protection.
The ecological crisis is exacerbated by the alarming deforestation of over 650,000 trees for a proposed nuclear power plant, a threat not only to the local ecosystem but also to agricultural lands and migratory routes that many species depend on. Through this installation, the artist highlights the urgent need for awareness around species loss and the parallels between political interventions, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation.
This site-specific installation for the International Sinopale Biennial will take the form of a bird sanctuary, featuring a natural well in the prison garden, repurposed as a bird bath collecting rainwater. Adorned with mosaics of endangered bird species, this sanctuary serves as a visual and tactile reminder of the urgent call to coexistence, inviting visitors to reflect on their role within the natural world and fostering a collective responsibility for a sustainable future.


This work was realized with the valuable contributions of Ali Arbağ, Ali İbrahim Öcal, Arzu K. Özçağlatan, Ceren Altay, Deniz Erbaş, Elif Derviş, Elif Şensoy, İlayda Kök, İpek M. Sur, Kate Price, Maria Nespeca, Özge Gönek, Siwar Mazigh, Serdar Akliman, Suha Kemal, Petra Diehl, Federico Boncristiani, and Zeynep Burçoğlu.