Şebnem Somel
I am an artist involved in ecological art practices trying to create art related solutions to social or environmental issues. Born in 1968 and living in Istanbul. I got my BFA and PhD degrees from Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul and MFA degree from Pratt Institute, New York.
My art is about trying to integrate the creation process of art into real life issues. I started off my art career using abstract expressionist terms in my paintings. Realizing that I care more for the process than the end result I tried new ways that could show or augment the importance of the creation process of art through out life. This journey led me to creative activist work that I find both essential and valid for one’s sincere and responsive existence in relation to today’s realities.
Art for animals' sake! - We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey.
Why did I start Minikgüneşparçam Project?
With the beginning of 2023
the authorities will have legal rights to put the street cats in shelters.
I live in Istanbul, Turkey. There is not enough shelter for all the cats and the ones that exist lack very badly in their standards.
After years of feeding street animals and trying to take part in animal’s rights activist attempts, I chose to create a minor difference in their lives that can hopefully last long after my time on earth.
What is the goal of this project?
Minikgüneşparçam is not only an animal care program but also an art attempt. Creative activist and volunteer works are the new forms of art that can create art related solutions to social or environmental issues I want to put a small colony of cats in a safe home. I want to make sure that they live there all through their lifetime. For this reason I want to establish a foundation that creates and supports attempts, projects and documents that help to maintain the enhancement and sustainability of the bond between tamed/street animals and people.
As an artist I propose this foundation and the road that leads to this foundation as an artwork itself; art that deserves being created; art that creates a difference in life; art that possess the will to share and to live life to its fullest; literally.
Blog posts
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Takoz’un tedavisi evden sürecek
Takozumuz eve geldi. Tedavisi icin her gun veterinere geri gideceğiz. Tahlil içinse bir hafta on gün geçmesi gerekiyor. Evde olmak onu çok mutlu etti. Mutluluğu daim olsun güzel kızımın. Takoz is an old cat living in Ponçikhane. Couple days ago she became very ill and she spent the last days in treatment. Today I took… Read more
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A new cat in the colony
She or he is very clean and used to human touch. We posted on instagram with a hashtag for lost cats, in case that soneone is looking for her/him. #kayipkedi Read more
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1st Monday of ‘23 – This channel is about a small colony of cats – Art for animals’ sake!
Subscribe to help them survive. Art for animals’ sake! – We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey. GOAL: Let’s put a small colony of cats in a safe home. Let us make sure that they live there all through their lifetime. Let’s create… Read more
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Enjoy the beauty – stray cats of Istanbul; Arnavutköy
Art for animals’ sake! – We will build a shelter for a small colony of cats together. Come and join me on this journey. GOAL: Let’s put a small colony of cats in a safe home. Let us make sure that they live there all through their lifetime. Let’s create a difference in life; let’s… Read more
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Happy new year to all our followers
Çipletemediğimiz kedilerden bir demet. Yılın son yardımı ablam Kadriye Somel Özcanoğlu’ndan geldi. Sayesinde ilaç, ıslak mama ve kum alabildik. Pate icin zeytinyağımız da daima enişteden; sağolsun Mehmet. Tüm destekçilerimize mutlu yıllar diliyoruz. Read more
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zarar
Hayvanlara yardım ederken aynı anda zarar da veririz. Mühim olan zarar/yarar yüzdesini doğru ayarlayabilmek. Öncelikleri belirlemek gerek. Minikgüneşparçam Projesi’nin bu konudaki öncelikleri ise şunlar: Ömürlük destek sağlayabilmek. Desteğin tüm öğeler tarafından sürdürülebilir kalması. Hayvanın alıştığı yaşam kalitesini daimi kılmak ya da iyileştirmek. Canım Bonibonum bunu biliyordu; siz de bilin. Read more