IST28Y

Istanbul revisited 28 years later

My first visit to Istanbul was in 1996, shortly after graduating from the Willem de Kooning Art Academy in Rotterdam. During that trip, I spent a few days exploring the city and created the second instalment of my Virtual Journeys series. The focus of this journey was a walk from Topkapi Gate to Topkapi Palace, where I captured about 100 analog photos using my Nikon F-501 SLR Camera. These images were stored away for many years until I processed them in 2020 for the first time. You can explore the results of that initial journey in my photo series, Virtual Journeys – Istanbul.

In a full-circle moment, in 2023 year I connected with the Yunus Emre Institute in Cologne (https://koln.yee.org.tr), who invited me to revisit Istanbul to document the same walk 28 years later. This time, I captured over 900 photos along the route, and a total of 1,500+ images documenting both the modern-day and historical beauty of Istanbul. The transformation of the city over nearly three decades is reflected in these photos, providing a unique view of Istanbul’s enduring allure and evolving landscape.

Between the photos taken in 1996 and the ones captured in 2024, there are 12 locations where images were taken from almost the same position. These 12 photo pairs were carefully chosen to explore the contrast between the past and present, offering a unique perspective on how these locations have changed over time.

Detail from Istanbul28Y01 Darüşşifa Sk.

Rather than simply recreating my previous shots, I decided to experiment with merging the past and present. By layering multiple versions of the images, I created a complex overlay that shows both 1996 and 2024 photos simultaneously. This approach not only highlights the differences between the two time periods but also reveals the subtle changes in the landscape and architecture.

The result is a dynamic blend of old and new, where parts of both the 1996 and 2024 photos are shown and hidden, creating an interactive visual experience. Additionally, this process reflects my own growth as a photographer over the years. One surprising discovery was how few photos I took during the original 1996 walk compared to the detailed focus I have today, showing how my approach to photography has evolved alongside the changes in the city.