December cultural and art events and Vincent Baikal’s interview with Ada

Once again, after a long break, I interviewed the owner of a newly released song for Uplifers readers and also visited 3 exhibitions. I couldn’t get that much done between rehearsals and audience meetings for my first theatrical performance, The Elephant’s Dream, which was selected by Galata Perform’s New Text Festival and deserved to be staged. You can follow the information in order.

We asked singer-songwriter Vincent Baikal Ada, who uses synthesizers reminiscent of the 80s based on the song “And It’s So Dark”, which met with music lovers on all digital platforms on November 4, about his musical background and projects before him. Enjoy reading!

Pleasant interview with Vincent Baikal Ada

I have read your interviews in many different media. But, to be honest, I would like to hear you in your own words. Who are you and how did your musical journey begin?

I think it’s not easy to define yourself. In short, I make a living as a lawyer. I am a father and, as you know, I am also into music. I started playing in a band in high school. I played bass and tried to sing in a band where we mostly played punk music. We started writing in high school. The genre has also shifted more towards alternative rock. We’re talking about the early 2000s. (Laughs.)

It’s the fact that there are musicians in your family, doesn’t it? What is it like being Selman Ada’s son?

My family has definitely influenced my interest in music. But I think the biggest effects were related to the perception of the music. I am proud that I am my father’s son. In addition to being a great composer, he is also a loving father.

So why didn’t you choose classical music? Like we need more alternative words to express ourselves in this society…

Classical music requires extra effort, overtime. Especially if the instrument is to be played, it is necessary to start from an early age and connect with great passion. When I was a child, I could not show such resistance at the piano. I try to be a good listener of classical music.

The names of your group are also interesting. For example, what was the history of Sapan?

That was the name of my high school band. While searching for a Turkish name, a sling-shaped branch on the ground caught our attention. Oh well, we said that the name of the group should be Sapan. Hence the name of the group, re-formed in 2010. We couldn’t find a name. He said at least take a slingshot.

Then the first single released in 2020… How do you feel about the process of releasing a single after working with the band? What changed?

I can describe solo work like this: more private, but more free.

What was the feedback? What audience do you usually address?

Of course, I received good reviews during this almost 3 year period. To what audience I am addressing, I also know little. Probably more of an indie listener. What do you think?

You say: “And very dark”… What is dark? Let’s talk about the music industry, what do you think should change in the industry, why do musicians complain the most?

The human mind is dark. This darkness does not necessarily mean evil. After all, labeling things as “good” or “bad” is just an oversimplification. I don’t know much about the music industry. Frankly, I was on the side of those who complained a lot at the time. I find it pointless now. I make music. My area of ​​interest is music. I will be happy if my music finds a response in the industry.

How are you with writing? Are you a bit of a poet too?

During my student years, I wrote many poems. I tried the play. I even recently wrote the libretto for my father’s “nano-opera”. However, poets would be ashamed to consider themselves a poet. Writing is an adventure of a lifetime. I would say that I am a good bad songwriter. After all, this is what I have been doing for 20 years.

May we know about your upcoming projects and of course concerts, tours? What are you planning or want to do?

I would like to say that in the summer we are planning a tour of America. My focus now is on writing. Writing new songs. If there is a concert, I will announce it on social networks 😉

Thank you very much for this nice interview!

Thanks a lot!

3 exhibitions to visit in December

Let’s visit the 3 exhibitions that I visited… One of them is “Galler | Dreams: Resilience in Unsuitable Times.”

At the exhibition organized under the guidance of Bogazici University graduates Meral Kurdash, Leyla Shurmeli and Leyla Derya; Ali Yaydzhioglu, Artin Demirdzhi, Atalay Mansuroglu, Aydemir Okmen, Aysenur Koksal, Aytach Armagan, Beyza Boynudelik, Can Goknil, Cemal Erez, Cumhur Ozer, Cagla Saydag Carter, Devrim Erbil, Dilek Demirdzhi, Dogu, Emre Cankaya, Elvan Karus, Fatih Alkan , Hanefi Yeter, Ishil Gülechuz, Jennifer Sertel Schneller, Joel Menemshe, Leyla Khanci, Leyla Sakpinar, Maria Sezer, Mehmet Gülerüz, Meryem Erogan, Mustafa Ozay, Muzaffer Akyol, Nedret Sekban, Nilgun Tujunturk, Nur Koçak, Okan Dedeoglu, Onur Hasturk, Pinar Tynch, Rasin Arsebuk (Rasin), Ruhiye Onurel (Rosh), Serap Bashol, Serap Muratanoglu Eyrenci, Shahnaz Agayeva, Sonat Cavusoglu, Suleiman Caglayan, Tuba Inal, Ugural Ercugamin Tafuroglu, He will donate a significant part of the proceeds from the sale of his works to the scholarship fund .

Describing the world and human conditions, the exhibition encourages its visitors to think, ask new questions, understand, dream and share. The works in the exhibition emphasize the resilience of a person to global and local problems in many areas, from ecology to health, from education to the right to life.

The exhibition, organized by The Marmara Pera on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 18:00, is waiting for art lovers for a while.

As for the new exhibition in Decollage, Decolage Art Space is holding the second exhibition of this season. The Promesse exhibition, consisting of works by Emine Senses, Melike Kılıç, Ömer Koçag, Pelin Baicelebi Demir, Sayat Uşaklıgil and Yağmur Yılan, comes to life with the consultation and coordination of Serap Atal.

One of the artists of the exhibition, the collages of Emine Senses, which show the effect of oil painting when viewed from afar, the visual stories of Melike Kılıç, based on the layered traditional art of the floor, the paintings of Ömer Koçag, which are a modern tribute to great masters such as Rembrandt and Goya, are timeless and extra-spatial contrasts of Sayat Ushaklygil, nostalgic figures that seem frozen at this moment, paintings by Pelin Baychelebi inspired by the perfect balance of nature, and Yagmur Yylan, who transfers female emotions to her canvas, creating a new reality with a dramatic approach helps us to know, understand and try to understand artists, invites to research.

The exhibition, which brings together young artists who have mastered and are on their way to mastering modern Turkish painting, is built around the theme of hope. The formal and conceptual approach is designed to make visitors think and open up space for questions. Artists who use a variety of mediums and look at a work of art from different perspectives; It consists of works from traditional to modern, from paper material to canvas, bringing the rhythm of the coexistence of different styles and different sizes of works.

Promesse can be visited at Decolage Art Space until January 9th.

…and the last exhibition I visited was that of Mehmet Sinan Kuran at the Anna Laudel Art Gallery. This exhibition was indescribable. But, unfortunately, today is the last day. You can still follow his current exhibitions by following Mehmet Sinan Kuran on his Instagram account.

I wish you a month full of art intertwined with music, theater and painting.

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