Kunst Ineği

If I remember correctly, 'Kunst' means 'Art' in German; 'inek' meaning 'cow' in Turkish. So it would mean 'the cow art'. It was found in the stairs of the Findikli district in Hardal Sokak (mustard street).

Art [heart] You

This one is very nice too. The little painter girl and the little DJ guy look cool. I have a series about this one too that I will post later.

Twins

This one is also of of the oldest stencils I've spotted. I really like it as well. it's about 30x40 cm, painted on an electric box in the street in Cihangir.

Kemal Sunal

This one represents the face of Kemal Sunal who is one of the greatest comedy actor in Turkey. He died not too long ago of an heart attack. He was a living legend here. It was found in Cihangir, Günesli Sokak, and is approximately 10x8 cm. You can see some other in the neighborhood.





















Aslan Yatagi Sokak, here.












This one was 300ft further, here.









This one at the corner of Oba Sokak and Alçak Dam Sokak has now been removed (01/19/2008).

DZA

I found this one in the street of the French palace, near Taksim, where the French consul lives. It represents the actual Turkish PM standing like the statue of Liberty. I really like the colors on this one. I'm not really sure what the letters DZA stand for. I believe it is a Turkish techno music band but are they related to this stencil... I'll try to learn more soon.

ÖCÜ

I found those one on the Asian side. Near Erenköy by the sea side.
Representing ultra religious women in their outfit with the word Öcü written on them. Öcü (pronounce ea-dju, "ea" as in earth or girl - eudju for French speaking people) means bogeyman. It's a term used commonly to describe ultra religious women because they look scary in this outfit. This one is from an anonymous artist.

Cool

I first saw this one in Yildiz, near Besiktas. But I never had my camera when I went by it. Then one day I spotted this one, in Ihlamur, near Besiktas too. From an anonymous artist. He likes doing them on traffic signs.
























Here is the one from Yildiz, seen on the bridge near Yildiz Technical University.

First Day

Today, I finally decide to start this blog about stencils. I have been taking pictures of stencils in Istanbul for a few months now and I thought it was time to share them. I'll probably post one stencil everyday. I will see how it evolves.
Stencil in Turkey is a pretty recent form of art. It used to be (and still is but much less) more political in the 80's. Now it really has become a form of art. You still feel that it's the beginning because people would create one and appose it on every walls, in every streets, and even sometimes, put 5 side by side on the same wall.
Some artists are more engaged than others. I don't really not how much stencils are allowed in Turkey, it is art but it still is painting walls which is probably forbidden like everywhere else. Take the notorious Banksy (from the U.K.) for example. One of the greatest artist there is, he produces shows and have books printed but still hides his true identity for fear of prosecution. I'll try to learn more as I share those wall art works with you.

Enjoy.