Built in the fourteenth century, Saint Benoit Church has witnessed empires, revolutions, wars, and cultural shifts. It stood through the French Revolution and survived the great Galata fire. The church is also home to the acclaimed Lycée Saint-Benoit d’Istanbul, which has taught students for centuries.

Drawing on the deep-rooted history of the Saint Benoit Church and its consistency as a space, Ahmet Rüstem Ekici and Hakan Sorar create a unique project for 212 Photography Istanbul to present a digital experience that expands the boundaries of space. For ‘In Circulation,’ the artists collectively create a fictive reflection that utilises space. Beyond being a sacred space and monument, the artists were inspired by the transformation of Saint Benoit Church throughout its history, its embrace of scientific and technical knowledge, and its famous observation tower.

The pixels flowing with the mechanism’s propellor system called a holofan, turn into three-dimensional entities that fill the church with the effect of speed. The flowing AI-generated images include a weather vane, seismograph, syringe, coffin, telescope, angel wings, dome and pillow. The representations adorned with pearls, crystals and gold gilding refer to the power of church aesthetics. This immersive installation questions what exists ‘here and now’ and the strict boundaries of spatial reality, blending historical reverence with modern digital artistry to create a unique narrative within the sacred space of Saint Benoit Church.

Ahmet Rüstem Ekici – Hakan Sorar

28 September – 13 October 2024

Church of Saint Benoît

The entrances are on Kemeraltı Street.