CONVERSATION WITH NAZLI KOK AKBAS BY OZGUR MUMCULAR FOR THE PUSULA, SWISS NEWSPAPER
CONVERSATION
WITH
NAZLI KOK AKBAS
Nazli's writings, the feeling of an exhibition, an artist's silent expression, or a city's aesthetic rhythm intertwine. A graduate of the Middle East Technical University Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Nazli obtained a Project Management certificate in Japan under the JICA Programme and describes this period as one of the important turning points in her life.
She then completed a master's degree in International Development Projects at the University of Geneva and conducted research as a visiting student in the university's Art History Department. Having obtained a certificate in Art Market and Galleries from Christie's educational institution in London in 2011, Nazli keeps her finger on the pulse of the art world thanks to her close contacts with museums, galleries, curators and artists; she regularly examines the dynamics of the art market in her articles, supported by detailed research. Nazlı Kok Akbas, who continues to write columns as an art editor for a prestigious Swiss lifestyle magazine, stands out for her keen interest in art history and her observant and insightful approach.
Nazli keeps her finger on the pulse of the art world!
She shares notes from exhibitions, interviews with artists and her cultural impressions on the Nazlı Kok Akbas Art Reports platform. We spoke with Nazli, who sees art as an experience that goes beyond a mere ‘report’, about both her power of observation and the meaning of independent production.
An interview by Ozgur Mumcular
When I start learning more and more, I realise just how little I actually know, and I constantly develop new learning programmes; that's exactly how I'm progressing.
During my art history education, as is the case for every art professional, my path also led me through Christie’s educational programme. In 2011, I completed a certificate programme in Art Market and Galleries at Christie’s educational institution in London.
To crown all these educational projects, she is smiling, as you know, in 2024 I established the Nazli Kok Akbas Art News Geneva – Switzerland, Art Platform and embarked on a very busy yet equally enjoyable period as an accredited art journalist. Within approximately one year, I covered over 20 major art projects, attended press conferences alongside art journalists from around the world, and published around 30 art articles.
Everything progressed very quickly and impressively. I interviewed world-renowned artists. I also write columns as an art editor for a prestigious Swiss magazine, Kaizenmag.
The new season is exciting for me; I am starting many new projects, all of which we will discuss shortly.
Ozgur Mumcular; What drew you to the world of art? How did you start on this path?
Art has always held a very important place in my life. From a very young age, museums seemed like a land of dreams to me. I lose track of time when looking at art works; it's still the same today.In my view, art is the embodiment of all freedoms, expression, creativity, and the courage to develop a unique language. Artists have always had a profound influence on me. Art and artists open up worlds to us where thought dances freely, worlds we could scarcely imagine in our daily lives.
Pursuing these feelings, writing about them, talking about them, and sharing art news with a wide audience...
This is my greatest curiosity, even my passion.
Ozgur Mumcular; What motivates you most when writing art news and interviews?
I have a very curious nature; acquiring knowledge and learning new things is a great pleasure for me. When I am invited to a press conference for a new exhibition, I always feel childlike joy and excitement. Before the meeting, I examine the subject in detail, thinking, ‘I need to learn more, I need to research more deeply.’ Following an exhibition alongside art editors from all over the world is both an enjoyable and exciting experience for me. I work with great motivation to do justice to this process.
Of course, having a strong academic background is very helpful in my research. Swiss universities in particular have very comprehensive art archives. As a former postgraduate student at the University of Geneva, I can easily access all kinds of documents and obtain information. Sometimes I also discuss the details of topics with my professors at the faculty or with art critics living in Switzerland.
Ozgur Mumcular; How would you describe the art scene in an international city like Geneva?
Geneva is a crossroads; it is a very rare city where experts and professionals from all fields inevitably pass through on a global scale. In keeping with the Calvinist culture, which I love, it is not “bling bling”; that is, it is far from ostentatious. This allows Geneva's strategic position to be reflected in a deeper, simpler but more effective way.
As is well known among professionals in the art world, as in the financial sector, Geneva plays an important role in the art market. Particularly in recent times, as the centre of the European art market has shifted from London to Paris, Geneva has begun to become an extension—a periphery—of Paris. This situation appears likely to further invigorate the city's art scene in the coming period.
Ozgur Mumcular; Your writing style balances emotion with analysis. How do you achieve this balance?
As you follow very closely, my concept is based on a very sincere and unfiltered approach to art editing. In every encounter I have, whether in museums, foundations or with world-renowned artists, I prefer an extremely natural and sincere approach.
I take great pleasure in conveying this naturalness to my readers, just as it is, unfiltered. Conveying information with sincerity is the method I most embrace and enjoy.
Ozgur Mumcular; What catches your attention first when you enter an exhibition?
That's a very good question, Ms Ozgur, thank you. When I visit an exhibition, I first wonder about the curator; because, as you know, the curator is the person who constructs the story of the exhibition. I always research it before I go.
When I enter an exhibition space, I like to discover new things. Actually, all the details in the exhibition interest me; I find the communication between the works particularly exciting. Sometimes a work you already know is displayed in such a narrative that it opens up a whole new window for you. You grasp the work anew, in a completely different context, you understand it differently; sometimes you even fall in love with it again, and sometimes the opposite happens.
Ozgur Mumcular; When preparing an interview or article, how does the process unfold for you; taking notes, observing, writing?
I like to be very detailed and move quickly in my work; I have to, because everything moves so fast now. I always take audio and video recordings at press conferences. I reach out to exhibition officials and ask them many questions. Instead of taking written notes, I record my own comments on a dictaphone.
Later, on the train or plane, I immediately transcribe these recordings. I then share my news and impressions on my platforms as soon as possible.
Ozgur Mumcular; What was one of the most memorable moments for you during your interviews with artists? Could you tell us about it?
Actually, every interview is a unique story. What I enjoy most is sharing the artists' authenticity and the excitement of their creative processes. Sometimes, however, seeing the immense difficulties they face truly saddens me.
Ozgur Mumcular; In your writings, you also touch upon the social aspect of art. How do you think art should relate to society today?
This is one of my fundamental working principles; thank you for asking. I am an art editor who is deeply committed to the democratisation of art. For me, it is extremely important that art is open and accessible to everyone.
For this reason, my greatest goal and motivation is for my work to reach as wide an audience as possible, to share art with as many people as possible.
‘In my opinion, "Art is for EVERYONE!", rather than “Art is for art's sake”!’ says Nazli with a smile.
Ozgur Mumcular; How does freelancing bring you freedom or difficulty?
Freelancing requires personal discipline and responsibility. I don't think it's as easy as people imagine. In fact, the situation where ‘everywhere is your office’ and the reality that you can work at any time makes it necessary to be very organised.On the other hand, I can schedule my appointments at more flexible times and rest at more convenient times afterwards. In short, this work system requires a great deal of responsibility. Furthermore, when you are your own boss, it is impossible to deceive yourself; you cannot do any project haphazardly, and as a result, good work comes out.
I am both a very fun and quite strict boss to myself, and working under my own name reinforces this situation.
Ozgur Mumcular; How is writing about art on digital platforms different from traditional press?
It's much more effective, really. It's a wonderful opportunity to be able to connect and read anywhere, anytime. On the train, on a plane, in the park or on a bench during a short break, you can read the entire article on your phone in an instant, which I think is great.
The other day, a friend told me something really striking: they went to visit a relative in Istanbul and they showed my interview on the television; they had their coffee and listened to the interview. I loved that idea. Isn't it lovely? This digital transformation, when used correctly, offers us incredible opportunities. Imagine suddenly wanting to watch an amazing art event, grabbing your coffee, and watching it with a couple of friends.
Now there are applications, as you are well aware. For example, for my mother, it instantly translates the text of an article on my website into Turkish; she can then listen to it.
We truly live in an amazing era. I find all these digital advances wonderful when used correctly.
Ozgur Mumcular; How do you think social media has changed the way art is expressed?
Social media has supported art in a very positive way. Previously, art was unfortunately mostly considered a luxury or the preserve of certain groups with a particular intellectual background. But now, interested individuals from all social groups can view exhibitions and stay up to date with the latest art news at any time through social media. This is a truly significant development and one of my main sources of motivation.
Ozgur Mumcular; If you were to describe your aesthetic sensibility in three words, what would they be?
My aesthetic sensibility is primarily based on naturalness and sincerity. I am very fond of anything cleverly made. Secondly, I find it very aesthetically pleasing when an object or a piece of work takes me away from the present and makes me look at it from a completely different perspective, and when it has a story behind it.
My new projects fall under several headings and I am very excited about them. First of all, my articles and interviews will continue intensively on my own platforms. In addition, as you know, I write as an art editor for a prestigious Swiss magazine; the magazine is published four times a year and can be read on readers.com. I am delighted to share that We have also significantly improved my website, Nazli Kok ART REPORTS,Geneva, Switzerland.
Another new and very exciting project of mine is publishing my firtst catalogue book. My book will be in both Turkish and English and will be distributed in Turkey and Switzerland. Work with my publisher is still ongoing.
In addition to all this, I am supporting a project that is both very exciting and important to me: the Entrepreneurship in Art Project coordinated by Işıl Nişli of the TOBB İzmir Women Entrepreneurs Council. This project aims to support female artists in the areas of production, exhibition and sales, and to help them adapt to new technological developments. Artists are provided with mentoring, networking, and sales network and support is provided for developing sales networks.
Important projects are being developed to ensure that art and female artists continue to produce strongly within the art ecosystem and maintain their connections with the business world. We will soon be organising a meeting in Switzerland to showcase all these projects. I consider this project to be very important. Thank you very much, Ms Ozgur, and my special thanks also go to Pusula Swiss Newspaper.
Ozgur Mumcular and Nazli Kok Akbas
