Alan Nekhay & Modern Art in Alanya: A Personal Journey Through the Lace Grace Revolt Exhibition

Name: Lace Grace Revolt Exhibition
Start: 2025-05-14
End: 2025-05-20
Location: Alanya Cultural Center

Yakup Emir ORAL
Jul 27
4 min read

Lace, Grace, and a Touch of Rebellion – My First Encounter with Contemporary Art in Alanya

When you think of Alanya, your mind might immediately drift toward beaches, tourism, and sunshine. But on one very unexpected evening, I discovered a side of this city I had never truly seen — a deeper, more cultural layer. On May 14, 2025, I was invited to attend a modern art exhibition at the Alanya Cultural Center. The event was titled “Lace Grace Revolt”, a collective show organized by the Alan Nekhay Foundation, featuring works by contemporary Russian women artists.

This wasn’t just another art show. It was something rare, honest, and powerful. And for me, it was personal. It was my first-ever experience with modern art, and the emotions it stirred in me will stay with me for a long time.

An Invitation That Changed My View

I had the honor of attending this exhibition thanks to a personal invitation from Yasin Kınay, the president of the Yeni Alanyalılar platform. The event was held one day before the official public opening, making it even more special. I arrived at the Alanya Cultural Center just before 7 PM and was greeted by Yasin himself. That’s also where I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Nekhay, the founder of the hosting foundation.

That evening, the front of the cultural center was buzzing with life. Due to another student exhibition opening, the square was packed with people, music, and local dance performances. It felt more like a festival than a gallery visit. When the official guests arrived, including District Governor Fatih Ürkmezer and Deputy Mayor Murat Levent Koçak, the atmosphere elevated to another level.

Opening the Doors to a New Language

We moved to the exhibition floor, where cocktail tables with drinks and desserts had been set up for the invited guests. As Alan Nekhay stepped forward, standing before a red ribbon and speaking into a microphone, it became clear that this wasn’t just an art event. It was a statement.

In his opening remarks, Nekhay expressed how meaningful it was to host this first official exhibition in Alanya and thanked everyone who helped bring it to life — especially the featured artists. After the speech, the ribbon was cut and the exhibition was officially open.

I walked in, looked around, and… I was lost.

The works were unfamiliar. Some were minimal, some intense. Different shapes, textures, expressions, I couldn't grasp any of it. I walked past each piece like most people do, observing but not understanding.

Learning to Feel, Not Just Look

Feeling a little overwhelmed, I returned to Yasin and shared my thoughts:“I like this, but I don’t understand what I’m looking at.”That conversation changed the entire evening for me.

He explained how in modern art, every symbol, every texture, every color could mean something, but it was you, the observer, who gave it life. It's about slowing down, feeling, asking questions. He also recommended a few books and artists to follow. That conversation gave me a lens.

I toured the exhibition again. This time, I noticed the repetition of patterns, the use of reds and whites, the layering of lace, the aggressive softness of some installations. Then I went for a third round, this time with Google in hand. I searched symbols, artist names, cultural references. On the fourth tour, I used ChatGPT to ask for interpretations.

By the fifth round, I wasn't just looking. I was engaging.I spent over two hours inside that gallery. It became one of the most meaningful evenings of my life.

A Conversation That Stays With Me

As the event slowed down and most guests left, Yasin and I toured the exhibition together one last time. He shared his interpretations, asked what I saw, what I felt. Standing beside someone so knowledgeable felt like borrowing their eyes, even just for a moment.

At the end of the night, I had a short but special conversation with Alan Nekhay himself. We talked about my background, my family, what I thought of the exhibition. He was kind, thoughtful, and clearly someone who believed deeply in what he was doing.

Before leaving, we took a photo together, myself, Yasin, and Alan. It’s more than just a picture. It’s a memory of discovering something new about Alanya, about myself, and about the power of art.

From left to right: Yakup Emir Oral, Alan Nekhay, and Yasin Kınay — captured at the end of the evening with genuine smiles and shared inspiration. Alan Nekhay, in the center, opens his arms as if to embrace the next generation of Alanya’s cultural visionaries. — Bridging Generations Through Art & Vision.

Why Contemporary Art Matters – for Alanya and for Real Estate

At first glance, an art exhibition and real estate may seem worlds apart. But that evening proved something important: Culture shapes perception. And perception shapes value.

When a city begins to support modern art, it tells the world that it’s ready for more than just seasonal tourism. It says: “We have depth, vision, and we care about creativity.” And that message attracts a different kind of investor, people who look beyond square meters and price per unit. People who want to live somewhere alive, somewhere meaningful.

Cities like Berlin, Lisbon, and Miami have seen this firsthand. And now, Alanya is starting to whisper in that same cultural language. An exhibition like Lace Grace Revolt is not just a gallery show, it’s a signal, that Alanya is evolving.

For those looking to invest in Alanya, this matters more than you think. Cultural growth increases not only the quality of life but also the long-term property value. Events like these tell us that this city is not just expanding, it’s enriching.

- Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Alanya?I’m Yakup Emir ORAL — your trusted real estate advisor in Alanya.Reach out anytime for personalized guidance, exclusive listings, and honest support in every step of your real estate journey.