Near East University Science Awards found their owners at the ceremony held before the exhibition opened at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center Exhibition Hall. Awarded for the third time this year, the Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal went to Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özdeşer.
The “Fine Arts June Exhibition”, consisting of artworks exclusively made by the artist-academics of the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and the artists of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, was opened by President of the National Assembly Zorlu Töre and Minister of National Education and Culture Nazım Çavuşoğlu at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center Exhibition Hall.
At the opening ceremony, which was attended by many award-winning academics at the Near East University Science Awards Ceremony held before the exhibition, President of the National Assembly Zorlu Töre, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç made speeches.
“Fine Arts June Exhibition”, which will be open to visitors free of charge until July 24, brings together 50 artworks consisting of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and printmaking.
Zorlu Töre: “This power of art also has a great meaning for social peace and tolerance.”
Stating that he attended many exhibition openings and events at Near East University, President of National Assembly Zorlu Töre started his speech by touching on the importance of art and artists in social life. Zorlu Töre said, “Fine arts beautify the human soul, provide different perspectives and direct us to a humanist thought. This power of art also has a great meaning for social peace and tolerance. As a university rich in culture and art, Near East University successfully fulfills this important mission.”
“Scientists from many countries work as lecturers here. This reveals the success and rich cultural diversity of our university at the international level.” said Töre, adding, “This academic and cultural diversity inspires our students and artists, allowing them to maximize their creativity.” Töre thanked everyone who contributed to the opening of the exhibition and said, “Fine Arts June Exhibition reveals the unifying and transformative power of art. All these artworks impress us not only with their aesthetic beauty, but also with the deep meanings and strong messages they carry.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We literally live on an island like a continental.”
Stating that Near East University had a busy and eventful week, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “This week, our congress center hosted the world’s most important educational technologies conference, ICALT 2024. This four-day conference, which lasted today, brought together scientists from 14 countries at the Near East University. Then, we held our award ceremony where the Near East University Science Awards and Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal found their owners. Now we are opening our ‘Fine Arts June Exhibition.”
Stating that nothing can stand in the way of progress and development, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Human nature is full of an endless desire for discovery, even in a world surrounded by borders. However, island life can sometimes overwhelm this desire for exploration with the safe harbors it offers and the feeling of enclosure it imposes. It can lull a person into an illusion that makes taking action seem much harder than it is. I want to proudly say that there is no trace of such a state of mind in our university.”
“I cannot think of a better day to celebrate the scientific and artistic production rising from our campus,” said Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, and added; “As our Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel points out, we literally live on an island as if we are living on a continent. Once again, I would like to thank all my companions who made us experience this day.”
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “Like science and philosophy, art is a source of knowledge and sheds light on new ideas.”
Stating that the excitement of a work of art depends on how the artist shapes it, Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Dean Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “While revealing his talent, the artist concentrates so much on the work that he loses his breath. Sometimes he gets disturbed by a flying insect, and sometimes he doesn’t care if a mortar shell explodes next to him. He is alone in front of his work and alone with the unique problems of art.”
Stating that deciding whether the work is completed or not is a complex process, Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “For old period paintings, the answer is simple; because the beginning and end of these paintings are clear. However, when we look at modern and contemporary works, the situation becomes a little more complicated. For example, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu said: ‘I am in pursuit of color, my paintings never end. Something ends; However, most of the time, it’s not the painting, it’s the paint that runs out, the turpentine runs out, the joy of painting ends, and worst of all, life ends.”
“I congratulate my artist friends, the creators of the artworks that formed our 462nd exhibition,” said Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, and added; “Just like science and philosophy, art is a source of knowledge and sheds light on new ideas. I wish you an exhibition experience full of new, bright ideas.”
