Bilecik's Tongurlar Village is currently undergoing an artistic and architectural transformation with young academics and architects undertaking a mission to renovate buildings and make sculptures to revive cultural traits of the area
The "Köyünü Yaşat" (Let Your Village Live) Project, created and implemented under the leadership of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ) and in cooperation with the Gölpazarı Municipality and with the support of 500 schools from various universities continues.
In the scope of the project and with work continuing since 2013, the old school building and village houses in Tongurlar Village are currently being renovated, and cocoon sculptures produced by local stones aim to promote silk farming, which had an important impact on the village's economy 20-30 years ago. The sculptures are to be exhibited in certain locations in the village and the district of Gölpazarı.Urban planners are working to reshape village life, and architects, students and academics are restoring certain models.
Assistant Professor Ümit Arpacıoğlu, a member of the architecture faculty, told Anadolu Agency that the project, which has been ongoing for four years, includes many sculptors, architects, urban planners, artists, graphic designers, students and academics.
Urban planners are working to reshape village life, and architects, students and academics are restoring certain models. "We also focus on art, while reshaping the village, which is why we believe that art can play an active role in this. In particular, sculpture is a functional art and with its interface a village or a sculpture becomes something meaningful for villagers. Sculptors especially work with rocks excavated from this soil, and we give the locals a unique answer," said Arpacıoğlu.
An academic from the Architecture Department, Assistant Professor Bülent Çınar, also stated that they would try to introduce and promote the rocks of this region both to itself and Turkey.
Çınar added that sculptures designed during the project would be situated in certain location to contribute to the local community. The sculpture of a cocoon, which he started working on three years ago, has been completed and erected next to the historic Taşhan (Stone Inn); it is a work related to the economic past of 20-30 years ago, pointing to the local occupation of silk farming. "I wanted to remind people of their past as this is completely forgotten now," Çınar said.