1. Tell us briefly about the identity and philosophy of your brand? How is it inspired and influenced by the cornerstones of the store this summer, craft, culture & creativity?
Floripa Artworks is an İstanbul based thought process, hopes to manifest a brand new paradigm where kindness and peace have determinative values. Taking inspiration from rhythm of colors, spirit of nature and diversity of women and working on any surface from ceramics to fabric, silk to paper, beach stones to walls and even food. I believe the cultures and the cuisines i have encountered since i was a kid have had a great influence on my art. As well as the different ways of thinking and conceptualizations I have come across so far ,and the languages -as different structures of thinking and interacting with the word- I speak (Turkish, Spanish, German and English) have had great influence on me and my art.
The store, as a focal point of different ways of thinking, helps – is helping- me to volume up the undertones of my polyphonic art pieces. Among the different parts of the world, which all affect me and my art in some way, the Mediterranean basin have always had a unique effect on me. Among the towns and places i love around THE SEA, I have a unique bond with the town the store is located – Bodrum, where my family lives. I cannot say my art is so much related to family and family values and the past or anything, but now I can see that the town –with the store in it of course- adds some roots to my works from where I was raised. Although I have always thought my path is heading towards to a more multicultural or even maybe post-cultural plateu, this town reminds me that’s the whole story.
2. How is it tied to travel?
I love to discover other artists all over the world and I spend time searching for them to meet when I am somewhere new. Sensing their energy, smelling their workspace atmosphere and finding a channel to exchange frequencies and ways of approaching to an artistic language – if not creating one- have been feeding me immensely. The more I am exposed to other artists at work, the more I can dig deep in myself and explore more in my inner universe. Discovering new places booms new connections between my mind and my soul. It is not limited with the artists the “New” provides me raw material to work on. The simplest example; a type of fish I saw in Paros deep waters has find itself so high that it ended up on my logo, my signiture.
3. For what reasons do you travel?
I travel to break the numbing routine and to replenish my depleted vitality reservoirs that city life consumes in time. When you go far you get to see it better and you find some answers; and even find the right questions to the answers you come by as you travel.
4. What are some of your most unforgettable escapes that have inspired the identity and story of your brand?
Florianopolis (also called Floripa)/Brasil, tiny islands of Cyclades, Ikaria, Syracuse/Sicily and Toscana, Bodrum, Pokut Plateu.
5. Where do you search for inspiration?
Nature and face to face interactions with the other fellow artists: Pink sunsets, twittering of the birds, sea salt that burn my eyes, sun after 4pm, downpours and the smell of earth gives me so much inspiration.
6. What’s one piece from your own collection that you always bring on travels?
I bring my color pens, to draw on the stones I find there. I leave those stones with tiny notes on for the locals to finds. So I don’t bring a specific object, I bring an idea with me to every holiday.
7. What about a piece that’s perfect for a holiday on the Turkish riviera?
Floripa cotton pareos are my favorite for this summer.
8. What are some of your favorite escapes here at home, hidden gems in Turkey?
Imroz/Gökçeada, a small island on the north Aegean Sea with tiny villages and its natural repellent aura that pushes out the modernist rational.
9. Share with us one of your favorite travel memories or anecdotes..
This summer we were snorkeling in Fethiye and suddenly we found ourselves in the middle of an huge school of sardine. For minutes, in silence we swam with them. It was amazing, unforgettable memory for me. It was the moment that i felt i was totally a small piece of the incredible nature.
10. Favorite travel film or book?
Under the Tuscan Sun.
11. Where are you dreaming of escaping to next?
I really love Greek islands so much. So, first escape would be somewhere among the Cycladic islands, a small one may be Folegandros. The second route would be Toscana. And third one would be Portofino.
12. What does traveling mean to you?
Experiencing a life of other cultures, geographies and possibilities. Discovering other beauties of earth. Traveling makes my earth-journey more breathable.
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