A research on the relationship between contemporary art and craft in Turkey

This research is based on the increasing visibility of craftsmanship in contemporary art. This scholarly study examines the evolutionary trajectory of artistic expression and skilled craftsmanship spanning from antiquity to the epoch of the Industrial Revolution. Emphasizing the schism between these intertwined notions that arose during the Renaissance, the research investigates the subsequent repercussions of their divergence in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, it critically analyzes the detrimental consequences of technologically-driven mass production devoid of aesthetic considerations. Additionally, this scholarly discourse delves into the various artistic movements that champion the harmonious fusion of artistry and craftsmanship. Bauhaus, which arose from the Arts & Crafts movement, is the first to come to mind when talking about movements that combine art and craftsmanship.Therefore, the developments that shaped Bauhaus in the context of Arts and Crafts are addressed, and the focus is placed on contemporary artists who utilize craftsmanship in their production. These two concepts, with a history as ancient as human civilization, are important in the development and formation of culture, technology, religion, governance, and thus the characteristics that define societies.Due to the intimate ties to people and human life, art and craftsmanship have always been in motion throughout history and have affected both one another and society as a whole. The development of craftsmanship has been a driving force in the emergence of technological advancements, market demands, and the development of trade, both within communities and between different communities. Consequently, various laws and regulations have been developed, granting various rights and privileges to artisans and members of guilds who have played influential roles in this process. The development of art, starting from cave paintings, has aimed to impact nature, facilitate differentiation between communities, foster unity within society, and has been connected to belief systems, sometimes used as a tool for propaganda by governance, and has also influenced the spiritual and cognitive development of societies. In the research, artists have been selected due to their potential to serve as examples in contemporary art, as they approach craftsmanship as a methodology in the production process, explore it as a subject in artistic creation, and incorporate craft products as materials in the practice of art.