Charlotte Schmitz
Balat
The Istanbul neighborhood of Balat, with its narrow streets and pastel-painted wooden houses, has a charm entirely of its own. With this exhibition, photographer Charlotte Schmitz invites you to immerse yourself in the life of the neighborhood. One in which she documented everyday life as well as weddings and other celebrations during visits for more than a decade.
Once home to a Jewish community, Balat was then shared by Armenian, Greek, and Turkish neighbors. After the mid-20th century, Kurdish families, Roma communities, and many others settled here, adding to the cultural variety. In recent decades however, gentrification has profoundly transformed the historic district. Once weathered houses have been repainted for tourists, shops now line the main streets, and soaring rents have driven out long-term residents.
Schmitz was 24 when she first traveled to Istanbul in 2012. She fell in love with Balat and soon found herself capturing its spirit through her camera. A brief encounter in a café would prove to be a turning point: A father who had once worked in Berlin as a guest laborer showed Schmitz photos of his daughters and invited her to his home. She and the family felt an instant connection.
“It was incredibly hot that summer. All you could do was wander through Balat’s streets, sit in the shade, and drink tea. If I hadn’t met him in that café, would any of this have happened? I don’t think so.”
Six months later, she returned, carrying printed photographs in her bag. It marked the beginning of a long-term project and of many friendships that would become central to her work. Which, rather than documenting loss or gentrification, celebrates the enduring spirit of community.
Around fifty photographs show now the full circle of life in Balat, a neighborhood that, despite all its changes, still shines with joy, care, and connection.
CREDITS
The exhibition was developed and curated by Marie-Luise Mayer, Exhibitions Manager at Fotografiska Berlin, in collaboration with curator Ilgın Deniz Akseloğlu and the artist. It was realized in partnership with IFA Berlin and in friendly cooperation with our photography print partner WhiteWall.
MEDIA PARTNER
