23.5 Hrant Dink Site of Memory opened its doors to visitors on 17 June 2019, at the previous office of the Agos newspaper in front of which Hrant Dink was assassinated, after its pre-opening on 23 April 2019. It aims to shed light on Hrant Dink’s life, his struggle, the days leading up to his death, the story of Agos, and the events following his murder, while also offering a glimpse into Turkey’s recent history in terms of minority rights, human rights, and democratisation. Through exhibitions, archives and visitor programs in three languages, Turkish, Armenian and English, the site aims to continue Hrant Dink’s dreams, values, his struggle, and words.
The exhibition design and curation of the 23.5 Hrant Dink Site of Memory was undertaken by the Hrant Dink Foundation. During preparations for the site, the project team visited museums and sites of memory in various parts of the world, held meetings with experts in the field, and, back in Istanbul, benefited from the experiences and recommendations of visiting experts.
Inspiration was drawn from the various sites of memory we visited during the development of 23.5.
23,5 HRANT DİNK SITE OF MEMORY
Hosting Organisation
Hrant Dink Foundation (HDF)
Conceptual Design and Curation
Curatorial Team
Neslihan Koyuncu Bali, Sena Başöz, Arat Dink, Delal Dink, Sera Dink, Nayat Karaköse
Exhibition Design
Ara Mimarlık, Pattu Mimarlık
Architectural Implementation and Coordination
Nazar Binatlı, Emre Savga (Ara Mimarlık)
Architectural Project Assistantship
Pelin Alkan, Neslihan Koyuncu Bali
Corporate Visual Identity and Graphic Design
Corporate Visual Identity Design
Sera Dink
Corporate Visual Identity Consultant
Bülent Erkmen
Digital Applications and Interactive Media
Video Editing
Neslihan Koyuncu Bali, Sena Başöz
Software
Özgür Akman (Brandwolf)
Audio Guide System
Tonwelt Guiding Solutions
Voice-Over
Sena Başöz, Duncan Chesley, Narod Erkol, Artun Gebenlioğlu, Simon Johns, Emine Kolivar, Ardaşes Margosyan, Eric Nazarian, Ararat Şekeryan, Sarem Külegeç Şeşetyan, Ayla Jean Yackley
Translation, Language, and Printing Services
Translation
Burcu Becermen, Sevan Değirmenciyan, Kate Ferguson, Vahakn Keşişyan, Lexicon Çeviri Hizmetleri, Hugh Jeff Turner, Ayla Jean Yackley
Proofreading
Altuğ Yılmaz
Printing
Diagonal, Futureist, Mas Matbaa, 3T Reklam, Sena Ofset
Photography, Drawing, and Documentation
Photos and Videos
Rıdvan Akar, Serra Akcan, Şehbal Şenyurt Arınlı, Kürşat Bayhan, Kemal Danacı, Deniz Ekinci, Sebati Karakurt, Ayten Kaya, Bahar Mandan, Nouritza Matossian, Nebil Özgentürk, Serkan Şentürk, İbrahim Usta, Kerem Uzel, Rıdvan Yavuz
Permanent Works
Agos Room Illustrators: Kemal Gökhan Gürses, Sarkis Paçacı, Ohannes Şaşkal, 2019
Horst Hoheisel & Andreas Knitz, Art as an Ambassador: An Embassy Founding Project (mixed-media installation), 2016
Sarkis, Children’s Rain Call at 23.5 with Colours of the Rainbow (mixed-media installation), 2024
Sarkis, Salt and Light (mixed-media installation), 2019
Acknowledgements
The 23.5 Hrant Dink Site of Memory was brought to life with the support of individual and corporate donations since the early phases of preparation and content development. We extend our gratitude to all our supporters and donors.
We thank everyone for their support during the establishment process, notably:
- Erdağ Aksel, Ayşe Gül Altınay, Sibel Asna and Füsun Eczacıbaşı, who joined our regular meetings, brainstormed with us, and offered consultation on many matters;
- AR Tesisat, Lora Baytar, Rodi Berberyan, Tolga Erçel, Fiksatif, Hay Lighting, Kalan Music, Zelal Karataş, Aren Arda Kaya, Laurent Kossayan, Cem Kozar, Işıl Ünal Kozar, Murat Kök, Karin Mecelyan, Leda Mermer, Post Bıyık, Ararat Şekeryan, Bernar Taşcı, Sumru Tamer, and Ferhan Tekinmirza, who contributed with their labour;
- all the experts from Turkey and abroad who shared their experiences and suggestions with us; the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, of which we have been a member since 2016; the International Council of Museums (ICOM); participants from various identities, age groups, and ideologies who offered their suggestions during the preparatory process; the volunteers and staff of the Hrant Dink Foundation; the staff of Agos; the painters, electricians, mechanics, and construction workers who toiled day and night; and everyone who has stood by us with material, moral, and in-kind support since the beginning.
