Along The River — Murat Kahya

Along The River (Ongoing)

Photography

The Kızılırmak, known as Halys in ancient Greece and Maraşantiya during the Hittite period, is the longest river in Anatolia. Throughout history, it has hosted many civilizations and is one of the most important wetland areas in the region. Due to its length, the river has become a unifying element in the Anatolian geography, and in my artistic practice, it has opened the door to long-form storytelling.

The project "Along the River," which I started in 2019, initially began as a photographic narrative following random stories, using the river as an anchor with a clear starting and ending point. Over time, this project has evolved with the inclusion of sound, video, and found objects during subsequent travels to the river and its surroundings.

With "Vantage Point," I began to explore my personal experience along the river, with "Below" I focused on the world it harbors, and with "Endless Landscape," I began telling stories about the uniqueness of visual and auditory data. This process created a foundation for me to push the boundaries of photography and embark on an experimental journey in terms of form.

While continuing to reflect on my relationship with water in these ongoing narratives, I foresee this project lasting for many years, with no clear endpoint in sight.