PORTRAITS OF LOVE: MY FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION
For Akmerkez, one of Istanbul's most prestigious shopping institutions, I directed a massive, tech-driven Valentine's Day takeover titled "Portraits of Love." Curated by Ecem Gürleyen and Dila Hondor, this multidisciplinary project combined CGI, AR, interior design, and live performance, marking a groundbreaking interactive doodle exhibition.
Brought to life by a core team of just three people, the exhibition reimagined the complex stories of 22 iconic couples from art history—including Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso & Dora Maar, and Ara Güler & Suna Güler—through the lens of Doodlism. Utilizing an overactive, subconscious stream of lines where no mistake exists, I invited visitors to explore the universal faces of love.
The physical experience extended far beyond traditional gallery walls; the entire institution was transformed. From larger-than-life interior enstalations and architectural CGI interventions to custom AR filters that made the artwork come alive for the audience, the project seamlessly bridged fine art with commercial space. Additionally, the campaign featured an interactive gamified installation ("Catch Your Gift"), where visitors used custom jetons to unlock rewards, turning the visceral energy of street art into a fully immersive, modern consumer experience.
