Ali Kazma's Solo Exhibition at Istanbul Modern Explores Shift from Craftsmanship to Intellectual Labor

Ali Kazma, a midcareer artist originally from Istanbul now living in Paris, is preparing for a solo exhibition at Istanbul Modern. His filmmaking practice, comprising approximately 70 works, employs a still camera lens to highlight the motion of his subjects. Kazma's visual approach often contrasts static images of landscapes, photographs, machinery, or book pages with people engaged in repetitive daily activities like walking through rooms or stamping papers. Since the start of his career, his focus has been on documenting trades and crafts that usually remain unseen, encouraging viewers to consider themes of production, consumption, and work. The artist's current interests represent a transition toward examining intellectual labor, a direction he indicates was established earlier in his trajectory. Kazma's personal demeanor mirrors his cinematic style—deliberate and composed. He was interviewed in Istanbul regarding these evolving concerns.