The group exhibition, which is composed of 22 artworks specially prepared for Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts by Kazakh artists Arshyn Kabylbek , Rakhat Saparalieva and Zeynelkhan Mikhamedjan, and Kazakh artist Almas Nurgozhayev's solo painting exhibition, which features 15 paintings exclusively prepared for Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts , was opened by the Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars.
The Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University released that the opening ceremony of the group and solo exhibition that held at Atatürk Culture and Congress Center was realized with the participation of TRNC Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars, Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Professor Irfan Günsel, Manisa Celal Bayar University Rector professor kazım Uysal, Özay Günsel Children's University Rector Professor Filiz Meriçli, Near East University vice rectors, directors of graduate schools, faculty members, artists and invitees.
The opening remarks were delivered respectively by NEU vice Rector Professor Tamer Şanlıdağ, Kazakh artist Zeynelkhan Mikhamedjan, Kazak artist Almas Nurgozhayev and TRNC Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars.
Beginning his remarks by saying "Whatever is said, life is life; no matter how it is characterized, life is a flow and a continuation in time, it is the event of living something that glitters varicolored in infinity", NEU vice Rector Professor Şanlıdağ underlined the significant role of art and artists in adding color and vividness to life.
Professor Dr. Tamer Sanlidağ: "It is the task of art to add depth and intensity to life..."
Highligthing the crucial role of artists in inspiring and nurturing the human spirit and in adding color and vividness to social life through art , Professor Şanlıdağ expressed his views: "Life can be as simple as that of a newborn child or as complex as that of a scientist, artist or businessman. Life as a whole may or may not be aimed at a purpose. Whatever it means or embodies, whatever it hides or unveils, it may be intensified, glorified, dulled or darkened. It may remain wild, deflated, chaotic or become meaningful, clear and vivid; it can gain color, vividness, intensity and depth. It is the task of art to give such vividness, depth and intensity to life
Wherever matter is shaped, wherever life gains line and composition, there is intelligence; there is art that transforms a chaotic realm into a shape that desired. Life separated from art and intelligence is wild, insensitive and aimless. It is the artist who revives and makes life attractive. Courage and nobility in them are at the top. They never compromise and have one motivation; creating a significant and worth doing work".
"To support the artist is to invest in the future of societies”.
Underlining the crucial role of art and artists in the development of the societies, Professor Şanlıdağ stated that great leaders provided support to the artists as art has a significant role not only in promoting their countries but also in the development of the societies. Professor Şanlıdağ also underlined that supporting the artists is to invest in the future of the societies. "Considering the significant role of art in contributing to the social and cultural development of the society in local and global scale as well as in uniting Turkic culture and art under the same roof, Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel with his future looking vision has launched the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project. Cyprus Museum of Arts, the foundations of which were laid on 8 August 2018 and brought together artists from many countries within the scope of the museum project, will open its doors on 15 November 2020. The museum will be the largest modern art museum in this geography with the largest collection comprising all traditional and modern art works concerning particularly Turkic world. Considering the contemporary aesthetic values and insights, Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which addresses the international platform and its self-esteem, will be an important art destination in the Republic of Northern Cyprus that undertakes the functions of selecting, collecting, preserving and exhibiting art, particularly the art of Turkic world. The Museum collection will consist of works that will best represent their countries in the context of the history of art” said he.
“Almost1000 artists from abroad have participated in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project so far"
Stating that almost 1000 artists from abroad had participated in the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts Project so far, Professor Şanlıdağ delivered further information: "Within the scope of this great project, many art workshops were realized and 199 exhibitions were opened within the last year. The number of artworks that created by the talented artists for Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts has reached almost 20,000, which is a significant number relative to such short time" noted he.
Underlining Near East University’s commitment to continuing to work and produce for the benefit of the country and its people, Professor Şanlıdağ stated that establishing a museum in contemporary sense was an arduous process requiring great efforts and sacrifices.
“Along with Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which is scheduled to open its doors on 15 November 2020, Classic and Sports Car Museum, Herbarium and Natural History Museum, Cyprus Turkish National History Museum, Maritime Museum, Knife and Sword Museum and Miniature Car Museum, a total of seven museums will be in service at the Museums Zone on Near East University Campus. The number of materials for all the museums has reached 100,000. We are witnessing the accumulation of this cultural treasure all together. As Near East Family, we extend our cordial appreciations to all artists for their unique contributions to Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts project” said he.
"GÜNSEL brand electric car is getting ready for public appearence with three prototypes in the near future"
Underlining that Near East University would persistently continue to work and produce on the axis of education, science, art and innovation in order to achieve her goals, Professor Şanlıdağ delivered information regarding the university's accomplishments in the respective fields. "Research and exchange programs have a crucial role in providing the students as well as academic staff with opportunity to gain educational and academic experience at prestigious universities abroad. Within the scope of Erasmus Exchange Program, this year, we have initiated student and academic staff exchange for the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine students and academicians. The number of scholar publications reflects the quality as well as the scientific productivity of a university. our academic staff has participated in 1773 scientific activities held at national and international platforms and our academic units have organized and hosted 665 national and international scientific activities. A total of 1507 articles authored by our academics were published in journals scanned in prestigious national and international indexes. A Faculty Member of Near East University was entitled to participate in CERN Project; we have taken a very important step towards becoming a partner institution of CERN Project, which is one of the world's most outstanding projects. Thus, the foundations of being a partner in this significant project have been laid. Near East University has made her name and TRNC known across the world by achieving resounding success in the field of innovation with her solar-powered cars and robotic soccer team NEUIslanders. Now, Near East University feels the right pride of producing TRNC's first domestic electric car GUNSEL. GUNSEL brand car is getting ready to make public appearance with its three prototypes.
This qualitative factor constitutes the core of the Near Eastern culture that we have created and is also a source of inspiration. What we have accomplished so far is the realistic estimation and assurance of what we will achieve in line with our goals. Consequently, it shouldn't be forgotten that locally our society and globally the civilization will gain from the science, innovation and technology to be generated by the universities. We realize this long and arduous journey with the support and guidance of each member of Günsel family” noted he.
Zeinelkhan Mikhamejan: "The artists, who come to Cyprus as talented artists, leave Cyprus as highly-gifted artists"
Speaking on behalf of the Kazakh artists, Zeinelkhan Mikhamejan extended their appreciations to everyone for their participation and sharing the moment with them. “Each artist is unique, but as the Kazakh artist Sembiqali said: "They come to Cyprus as talented artists, but they leave Cyprus as highly-gifted”. I would like to extend our endless gratitude mainly to the Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel for providing us with support and the opportunity to be here today. I also wish all my fellow artists a life full of inspiration and success" said he.
Almas Nurgozhayev; “We had the opportunity to share our ideas, life experiences and feelings with the world”
Addressing the protocol and guests, artist Almas Nurgozhayev expressed his happiness of seeing them at the opening ceremony of his solo exhibition. "Today, I am going to share my 15 paintings with you. During my stay in Cyprus, I met new friends, gained new ideas and learned new techniques, and this is a very important experience for me.
I would like to thank Dr. Suat Günsel, who is the architect of this magnificent project, for providing us with the opportunity to share our ideas, life experiences and feelings with the world. I would also like to thank all my friends, colleagues and everyone who has been with me and have supported us" noted he.
Minister Baybars: "“Near East University has been providing important contributions for our society to meet with all international cultures and art”
In her opening remarks, TRNC Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars expressed her views and feelings. "Dear art lovers, It is a great honor for me to start today's morning in an environment that full of art and valuable art lovers like you. In this sense, the Near East family and Near East University has been providing significant contributions for elevating the level of culture of our society, increasing interest and support to art and artist, creating awareness and enabling our society to get acquainted with all international cultures and art. In your presence, I would like to thank the entire Near East family for their unique contributions in promoting our country. These unique contributions aimed at promoting our country in the international sense through her achievements in the field of science, technology, innovation, sports, art and culture, which really make us proud, are praiseworthy. Near East University's dedication to unify Turkic culture and art under the roof of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts is of utmost importance.
If art is the hope of human, artists are special persons who bring this hope into life and unite the cultures"
The works of art serve as a door for artists; there are artist who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others, who with the help of their art and their intelligence and creativeness, transform a yellow spot into sun. The works we have seen in different countries show how small they can be with art, no matter how big they are. They asked Picasso "What do you think art is?" and he answered "What isn't it; but whatever it is, there is something from everything in it". This actually shows how we all look at the life we live in, how we exhibit the creativity of hope, that we reflect a certain amount of art in every field and that we are integrated with art. Today, if art is the hope of human beings, the artist is the person who brings this hope to life and unites cultures. We know the unique contributions of the valuable Kazakh artist Almas Nurgozhayev to the International catalog titled “Art Unites the Continents” in 2012. He underlines how important it is for people to be a whole, to understand each other through art and culture. We are also proud of emphasizing this" said she.
Following the presentation of certificates of appreciation and awards, the ribbon was cut and the exhibitions were opened...
Following the speeches, certificates of appreciation were presented to Kazakh artist Arshyn Kabylbek , Rakhat Saparalieva ve Zeynelkhan Mikhamedjan by the Interior Minister Ayşegül Baybars. "Dogdurbeg Nurgaziyev Award", which is awarded to young artists in honor of Kyrgyz state artist Dogdurbek Nurgaziev within the scope of Alasya Awards, was presented to the Kazakh artist Almas Nurgozhayev. Then the ribbon was cut and the exhibitions were opened for visits. The exhibitions will be open for visits at the exhibition hall of Atatürk Culture and Congress Center (AKKM) between 08:00 - 16:00 hours on weekdays until 13 December 2019.
