American Traces in Ankara
The main purpose of this project is to make a comprehensive analysis of the changes in spatial and architectural dimensions that American culture has affected, especially in Ankara’s social life.
Partners
U.S. Embassy Ankara Turkey
Turkish American Association
Sounding Off: The Next Generation of Women in Sound 2023
Cermodern
Year
2023-2024 in Ankara
With the project "American Traces in Ankara 1950-69", the period of 1950-1969, when the relations between Turkey and America were the closest, was examined, and the reflections of the interaction between the two countries on the urban culture of the capital Ankara were investigated. Extensive literature and archive searches, interviews with Americans who lived in Ankara at the time, and consultant meetings were conducted.
The research reminded that the presence of American military personnel and civilians assigned to Ankara in the city left unforgettable traces in the memories of Ankara and Ankara residents.
The information obtained was transformed into an exhibition with a creative expression in collaboration with the sound and design teams led by Ufuk Önen, the executive of the 'Sounding Off 2023: Women of the Future' project, which was supported last year. The digital exhibition features Ambassador Jeffry L. Flake and Mrs. With the participation of Flake, it met with the audience in Ankara at the Cermodern FLOW Digital Stage in February 2024.
"After the Second World War, the world had never witnessed such polarization before, and the Turkish-American relations that began in the 1800s had never been so close until this period. Harry Truman, who served as the 33rd President of the United States from 1945 to 1953, delivered a congressional speech on March 12, 1947, expressing that global action would be taken against the policies of the Soviet Socialist Republics."