Türkiye’s Altinbas University collaborates with German university on jewelry design project

By Mehmet Kadir Kilinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye's Altinbas University's Jewelry Design Department has forged a collaboration with Pforzheim University in Germany as part of "The Ornament of The Other" project.

The first phase of the project brought a team of 11 students and three academics from Germany to Türkiye, according to a statement from the Altinbas University.

After a year of collaborative work between students from both universities, Turkish and German culture will come to life in the jewelry designs of these young artists.

A ceremony was held at the university's Gayrettepe campus in Istanbul on Tuesday to bring together the Turkish and German teams, marking the beginning of the project.

During the opening meeting attended by officials from the German Consulate, Pforzheim University, and Altinbas University, German students had a chance to meet their counterparts from the Jewelry Design Department.

As part of "The Ornament of The Other" project, German students visited various museums in Istanbul and the workshops of master designers, including Sevan Bicakci, at the Grand Bazaar.

Through cultural trips, students gained insights into Turkish culture and they will incorporate their knowledge into their designs.

In the second phase of this collaboration, 11 Turkish students will visit Germany to research and infuse German culture into their work.

After a year of effort, these creations will be showcased at the Turkish Consulate and in the Pforzheim city.

- ‘Embracing different cultures, not just jewelry’

Christine Ludeke, a professor from Pforzheim University, said that the language of art has transcended borders, adding: "We were amazed by the jewelry workshops, academic approaches, and student work … This project is not only about jewelry, but also about our students getting to know different cultures and creating something new.”

Nurcan Perdahci, the dean of Altinbas University's Faculty of Art, said that 11 students and three faculty members from Pforzheim University would work on jewelry design.

They started by exploring Istanbul's museums and conducting research, which they would use in projects during workshops. In June 2024, Altinbas University's students and faculty members will visit Germany for the project's second phase.

- ‘Artistic and cultural endeavor’

Emphasizing that the project will promote cultural unity between the two countries through jewelry, Perdahci said it will be a valuable collaboration that will give students international recognition.

She said that the exchange of knowledge between the teams visiting each other's workshops would result in unique designs that would reflect both Turkish and German cultures, making it a significant artistic and cultural endeavor.

Elveda Bayrak, a Pforzheim University student with Turkish roots, stressed that programs in Istanbul have greatly benefited them.

“We had the opportunity to visit museums and workshops. Istanbul is a very historical city and it inspires us. We will reflect what we have learned to our designs in Germany,” Bayrak said.