torna Residency - Ömerli, İznik, Bursa
We found this house 8 years ago. We lived in a tent in the only habitable room in the house as we worked inside it. We cleaned up the floors, threw away tons of concrete, bricked in holes, plastered the walls, put in sewage pipes, built the sash windows using 100 year-old oak beams. With the help of dirt, hay, water, timber and a few basic tools we healed this 4 storey mini giant.
From June 2023 this house will be part of the torna residency. It won't be an exhibition space; but a space for thinking, making or perhaps not doing much, just being. We plan to hold all torna activities here including torna residency, bookshop, library and torna small.
In a country where everything gets knocked down, every old and beautiful building tumbles away, we wish this house to stand up proud and special. We hugely respect its 90 odd years of existence with all the common women and men who have passed through and lived here.
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The house is located in the historical town of Iznik (Nicaea), which is only 90 km south-east of Istanbul. The area has long been known for its traditional pottery and tiles.
Our village Ömerli, is only a 10 minute drive north of the town in a beautiful setting surrounded by olive groves and fruit farms. It is home to a small community of wonderful and kind people whose families have lived there for generations. Our house is a 90 odd year old, 4 storey traditional Ottoman-era house. It has a timber-frame with earth render and limewash.
Over the years we have been restoring the house to bring it back to its former modest glory. We have been continuously teaching ourselves to craft and produce many of its parts. Our aim has always been to bring it back to what it may have been like 90 years ago and never to produce a clean and modern space that sits behind a historical facade.
Accommodation
The house is home to torna and our small family of three. We initially planned to finish the restoration by 2023, but currently it doesn't look like it. At the moment we have one clean and ready to stay-in guest bedroom which will be the resident artist's room. The room is calm and simple with beautiful views over the lake, the olive groves and the garden. It has a fitted wardrobe space which the previous owners used as their mini washroom. The floors will creek and the lime on the walls may leave a light powder on your top if you lean against them for too long.
Studios - Work Spaces
The resident artist gets a desk and work space of their own on the top floor which will be shared with other torna activities. It is a vast open space with a beautiful balcony looking over the village, fruit farms, Iznik lake and the mountains across the village. In addition to this, around the house and gardens you will be able to find various spots where you can calmly read, write or just be.
torna Residency - Şile, Istanbul
Şile is a small fishing town on the Black Sea coast, near Istanbul.
The house is located inside a small group of houses. Even though there are a few people who live here all year round, most people come back to Sile for their summer holidays.
Şile is a vibrant, colourful place with many characters you will be sure to come across. It is especially famous for its ‘Şile Cloth’ which is a cotton cloth that is produced in the town with techniques specific to the region.
The house is a 20 minute walk (10 minute cycle) to the beach and the town. There is also a swimming pool a few minutes away from the house which is open to use from mid-May to mid-September. We have a large private garden that is perfect for working during the day and relaxing in the evening.
Accommodation
The house is home to torna and our small family of three. At the moment we have one extra guest bedroom which will be the resident artist's room. This is a nice bright room with an apple tree as its neighbour.
Studio - Work Spaces
The resident artist gets a desk and work space of their own on on the ground floor of the house. It opens to the garden patio which is pretty cool in hot summer days.
How to Apply
Have a look at 'How to Apply' page.
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Also do have a look at the FAQs page.