Hakan Yılmaz "Seagrasses"

The "Joint Action for Sustainable Tourism" (JAST) project, carried out in partnership with Çanakkale Municipality, Salou Municipality (Spain), and the Turkey Europe Foundation, and supported by the European Union, was designed to strengthen and promote sustainable tourism practices. Through a series of informative activities and artistic-cultural events, the project aims to draw the attention of both implementing institutions and local communities, especially children and youth, to the topic in these cities.
While designing an art exhibition for Çanakkale and Salou, the goal was to reflect the identity of both cities, highlight our shared issues, and foster a sense of partnership and responsibility among people. Our common ecosystem, which carries the maritime cultural ties and collaborations connecting these two cities, serves as the foundation. Seagrasses, which inspired artist Hakan Yılmaz, represent one of the most poetic expressions of this connection.
Influenced by seagrasses, the artist aimed to digitally translate these plants, swaying peacefully underwater, into an experience accessible to everyone, sharing the meditative and serene atmosphere of the underwater world with the audience. In a time of heightened eco-anxiety, the calming, peaceful, and enveloping aura of the "Seagrasses" artwork offers viewers an aesthetic experience that connects them to environmental issues through emotions.
Seagrasses hold great significance not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their environmental roles. For Mediterranean coastal cities like Çanakkale and Salou, seagrasses are natural assets that both support the sustainability of our ecosystem and require protection. These meadows play a crucial role in combating climate change by balancing carbon emissions. They also form the foundation for marine life, offering hope for the future of the Mediterranean.
Hakan Yılmaz’s meaningful work from the Serenity series, which makes seagrasses visible, reminds us of the vastness and multi-layered nature of the ecosystem while re-establishing our relationship with the environment through art. After Çanakkale, this significant piece will also meet art enthusiasts in Salou.