In Memoriam: Teoman Madra

We are gathering to remember and honor Teoman Madra, a pioneer of media art and an experimental visual artist in Turkey, by revisiting his work and legacy.

With his unique aesthetic language shaped through light, sound, and time, Madra transformed technology into a poetic expression and turned art into an experience that could be felt, not just watched. This in memoriam event will reflect traces of his 94-year-long creative journey and will feature a talk by artist, academic, and musician Selçuk Artut, who has been researching Madra’s work for many years.

Who is Teoman Madra?

Teoman Madra was one of the first Turkish artists to integrate digital technology into artistic production, leaving a profound impact on the history of contemporary art in Turkey. He was known not only for his video and multimedia works but also for his sound installations and visual environments created through new technologies. Madra began his artistic journey in 1964 with experimental photograms; his early works often evoked the spirit of Fluxus, embracing spontaneity, intermedia, and process-oriented creation.

Over time, he shifted toward multimedia performance, producing his first digital works on the Amiga computer and, after 1998, focusing more heavily on PC-based video art. He also worked extensively in abstract photography. Jazz improvisation and contemporary music were central influences in both his solo works and stage collaborations. Madra’s practice was guided by a continuous questioning of artistic boundaries and a pursuit of new aesthetic possibilities.