Purposeless Machines, 2024

Site-Specific Installations & Educational Program

Studio STEAM’s second education program, “Purposeless Machines”, brings together engineering, craft and art in the works of interdisciplinary artist Bilal Yılmaz.

Inspired by his long-running craft research, the artist produces his works collaborating with craft workshops of Istanbul. While developing and producing his interdisciplinary works together with craft masters, he draws attention to the social impact and contemporary potential of craft, contrary to the system that reduces craft to a romantic traditional value.

Through the works developed for the Studio Steam “Purposeless Machines” program,  the artist reveals the process of transforming interdisciplinary experiences into artistic means of expression and enable participants to experience this approach. The program consists of a kinetic wall installation (Serial Craft-IM), a kinetic art education set designed based on this installation (Serial Craft-KIT) and a sound installation that creates various analogue industrial sounds through resonance of different found objects (Acoustic-iO).

Studio STEAM is located under the roof of Istanbul Modern Education Department as an interdisciplinary experience area under the consultancy of artist Bager Akbay.

Commissioned by: Istanbul Modern Museum

Photos: @k0mancero (2 - 8)  & @_meltemsari (1 & 9)