The “Habitat” exhibition, opened at the GÜNSEL Art Museum by the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, brings together different disciplines of art under one roof, opening its doors to visitors.
While habitat refers to the place where life develops and diversifies, art creates a productive space where different ideas and aesthetic understandings meet. Inspired by this understanding, the “Habitat” exhibition, prepared by artists-academicians from the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and artists from the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, was opened.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition, opened by the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu at the GÜNSEL Art Museum Exhibition Hall, was attended by the Vice President of the Turkish Health Institutes Presidency (TÜSEB), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Sarğın, TÜSEB General Secretary Ahmet Zengin, TÜSEB Project Management and Support Department Head Batuhan Yeşilyurt, TÜSEB International Relations Department Head Fatih Karademir, and the Rector of Kyrenia University, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu and Ayşe Kanlıada, President of the Aid Association for Cancer Patients. The exhibition, which included artists and many academics, was also attended by students and their families from Near East Primary School and Near East College, whose works were featured in the exhibition.
Habitat, which can be visited free of charge until May 26th, brings together 50 artworks from the fields of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking. Reflecting the multifaceted expressive power of art, the selection also marks the 482nd exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts.
At the opening of the exhibition, which saw a large turnout, speeches were given by the Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, the Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Near East University Prof. Erdal Aygenç, and the AI-based academician AI. Prof. DUX.
Prof. DUX reminded the audience that all living things in nature are interconnected in a delicate balance, and that disrupting this balance directly affects the life chain. Prof. DUX emphasized that this balance is currently under serious threat. DUX said, “At this point, artificial intelligence can emerge as an important tool. It can monitor environmental changes, analyze ecosystems, track living populations, and contribute to nature conservation with early warning systems. However, it should not be forgotten that artificial intelligence is only a tool. Real transformation is possible only with human will.”
Nazım Çavuşoğlu: “Near East University is a meeting point rarely seen in history.”
Expressing his pleasure at being present at the opening of the 482nd exhibition of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu said, “The 482nd exhibition is easy to say, but producing and enabling production is truly a great achievement. The 482nd exhibition means continuing to produce tirelessly, demonstrating great determination.”
Drawing attention to the vision behind this success, Çavuşoğlu stated that this structure, where science, culture, and art are produced together, has become an important center, adding, “I thank the Günsel family for creating such a science, culture, and art center by transforming their dreams into goals.”
Referring to Near East University’s international achievements, Çavuşoğlu said, “Being among the top 500 universities in the world is a significant achievement. I do believe that this ranking will rise even higher.” Emphasizing the great value of having such a university in the TRNC, Çavuşoğlu noted that not only science but also art, culture, and sports are produced here. Stating that Near East University is a meeting point rarely seen in history, Çavuşoğlu said, “This meeting point can only emerge as a product of a great idea, sacrifice, and vision.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We will continue to bring together the knowledge produced by science and the meaning produced by art within the same ecosystem.”
Stating that the concept of “habitat” is a multi-layered concept that shapes not only nature but also human existence, production, and the search for meaning, the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, described the Near East University campus as a unique “art habitat” unlike any other in the world. Emphasizing that the five museums located within the campus create a living art ecosystem by bringing together different disciplines, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that the 482 exhibitions held under the umbrella of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum are the most concrete manifestation of this continuity.
Noting that science also creates its own habitat, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Science, just like art, establishes its own habitat,” adding that this structure develops in laboratories, research centers, and through interdisciplinary collaborations. Stating that science is fueled by curiosity, deepens through questioning, and gains meaning through production, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasized that Near East University views science not as an outcome, but as a responsibility.
Emphasizing that art and science are not separate but two complementary parts of the same whole, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “One builds the future while the other gives meaning to that future. The ‘Habitat’ exhibition is a powerful call that makes this unity visible. We will continue to bring together the knowledge produced by science and the meaning produced by art within the same ecosystem. Because we believe that true development is only possible with this multi-layered understanding of habitat.”
Prof. Erdal Aygenç: “Humans need art to make sense of the complexities of life and to add depth to their existence.”
Drawing attention to the deep and indispensable place of art in human life, Prof. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University, began by asking, “You must have wondered: Why do millions of people read poetry, novels, and short stories, listen to music, go to the theater, watch dance and films, and visit exhibitions or museums?” and then explored the relationship between humans and art.
Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç stated that it is impossible to consider the intense interest a person has in a work of art as merely a “distraction” or “leisure activity”, emphasizing that art corresponds to a much deeper need. He noted that from the moment a person is born, he encounters the unknown and gradually learn to make sense of the world, adding that this process is not limited to science and discovery. “Humans need art to make sense of the complexities of life and to add depth to their existence.”, he said. Highlighting that art is a field that allows people to escape the ordinariness of daily life, Prof. Dr. Aygenç concluded, “Art is a rebellion against being confined within the boundaries of one’s personality.”
