“Eye Contact,” featuring a selection of works from the archive of the Bülent Eczacıbaşı Foundation Center for Photographic Studies (BEVFAM), meets the audience as part of the 212 Photography Festival, taking place between September 26 and October 11. Brought together from collections across different eras and photographers, the selection focuses on the relationship established through the gaze between the photographer and the subject, as well as between the subject in the photograph and the viewer.

Bülent Eczacıbaşı Foundation Center for Photographic Studies (BEVFAM) aims to safeguard photographic collections of significant cultural value that may be at risk in Türkiye and to contribute them to Türkiye’s cultural memory by making them accessible. Bringing a special selection from its archive to the 212 Photography Istanbul Festival, BEVFAM presents “Eye Contact” within the scope of this year’s 9th edition of the festival, which focuses on the 200th anniversary of photography. The exhibition centers on the moment of encounter between the photographer’s attention as they construct the frame and the subject’s response–at times yielding, at times resisting.

“Eye Contact” can be visited every day between 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM from September 26 to October 11 at Akaretler No:5.

An invisible bond created by a gaze

The fundamental reason portraiture is considered one of the most compelling subjects in art history is the instinctive attraction to the human face. Even before newborns see the world clearly, they distinguish a human face among complex visual stimuli; through eye contact, they attempt to interpret the expressions before them and mimic the facial expressions of the person they look at. Rooted in humanity’s origins, this behavior continues to be an important element of relationships established with others throughout life. Making or avoiding eye contact with someone transforms into a powerful form of communication that defines the nature of the relationship.

In the early years of photography, direct eye contact was uncommon in studio portraits because of the long exposure times required. Exchanging glances with a lens while remaining completely still for several minutes was nearly impossible. As photography technology advanced and exposure times shortened, the subject’s gaze began to meet the camera—and, through it, the future viewer of the photograph.

“Eye Contact” focuses precisely on the relationship created by this encounter. The gaze in the photograph is directed from the past toward a viewer in an as-yet-unfamiliar future. When viewers come eye-to-eye with the subject, indifference becomes difficult; they attempt to read the gaze, make sense of the underlying expression, and forge an invisible bond between the moment the photograph was taken and their own time.

Diverse collections from the BEVFAM Archive in a single selection

“Eye Contact” brings together archival pigment prints from the Hüseyin Cahit Aktuna, Tuğrul Çakar, Nusret Nurdan Eren, Sinan Koçaslan, Robert John Marshall, Garbis Özatay, Tahsin Saya, Gülnur Sözmen, and Sinan Turan collections, alongside silver gelatin prints from the Mehmet Bayhan, Metehan Özcan, and Mert Rüstem collections.

Belonging to different eras, production practices, and archival approaches, these works come together under the title “Eye Contact,” making visible the transformation of the portrait in photographic history and the timeless relationship that the human gaze can establish.

On both sides of Istanbul for photography’s 200th year

Organized for the ninth time this year, the 212 Photography Istanbul Festival takes place between September 26 and October 11, 2026, across various venues spanning both sides of Istanbul. Focusing on the 200th anniversary of photography, the festival explores the medium’s past, its role in memory creation, and its contemporary transformation from diverse perspectives.

Bringing together artists, academics, and creative figures from Türkiye and around the world, the festival program features talks, workshops, film screenings, and performances alongside exhibitions.

About BEVFAM

The Bülent Eczacıbaşı Foundation Center for Photographic Studies (BEVFAM) aims to safeguard photographic collections of significant cultural value that may be considered at risk in Türkiye, bringing them into Türkiye’s art and cultural memory by making them accessible.

Focusing on collections formed by actors working across different fields and with diverse archival approaches, BEVFAM preserves the materials in its care under international standards while maintaining their original integrity. Digitizing the collections at high resolution and opening them to the public, the Center aims to serve as a resource for new research, interpretations, and creative works.

The BEVFAM Archive can be accessed at www.bevfam.org.