During a working visit of the President of Ukraine to the Republic of Turkey, First Lady Olena Zelenska visited Istanbul Artist Residency (İAR) - an art project created by Ukrainian artist Polina Somochkina and art collector Halil Ibrahim Çavuşoğlu.

The main idea of the project is the development of international relations through culture and art.

According to the artist, she believes Istanbul is a city located simultaneously in Europe and Asia, which will be able to unite the world. Her global idea is to create an international art center in Istanbul and present contemporary Ukrainian artists to the world.

The whole process of work in the Residency is a kind of performance, where the viewer can see the process of creating works and speak to artists. The project was implemented with the support of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul.

Olena Zelenska also watched the exhibition "Eternity Now", which presents works by 10 artists from around the world. The concept of the project was created by the invited curator of İAR 2020 Ukrainian Olena Grab and describes eternity through a palimpsest - a manuscript or fragment of written material, later rewritten on top of a previously lost letters, where each layer or text determines its temporary position through certain cultural and group memories.

Official website of the President of Ukraine