Edward Burtynsky: Shifting Topographies

Edward Burtynsky: Dönüşen Yeryüzü (Shifting Topography) marks the Canadian photographer’s first major solo exhibition in Türkiye. Presented at Borusan Contemporary in Istanbul, the exhibition brings together acclaimed photographs from more than four decades of Burtynsky’s career alongside a new series documenting landscapes across Türkiye.

The exhibition opens with Erosion, a project commissioned by the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection and created during Burtynsky’s 2022 journey through central Anatolia and the Mediterranean region. Using aerial photography captured by drones and helicopters, the series reveals the dramatic ways erosion and human activity are reshaping Türkiye’s landscapes, from Lake Tuz and the Göksu River Valley to the fields of Kırşehir and the dry landscapes of Ankara.

The exhibition then expands into a global perspective, exploring themes including water and salt, nature, quarries, mines and oil. Burtynsky’s striking aerial compositions transform industrial sites and altered landscapes into almost abstract images while confronting the environmental consequences behind their beauty.

Set inside the historic Perili Köşk overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Borusan Contemporary adds another layer to the experience. The museum’s distinctive setting in Rumelihisarı makes the exhibition especially appealing for travelers interested in photography, architecture and contemporary art.