21 Jul CASA HERMANAS: The Power of Sisterhood
The Odyssey After A Frida Kahlo’s Painting.
The adventure you are is the unique story of a Turkish and a Mexican couple of friends whose encounter began because of a Frida Kahlo self portrait, hanged on a wall of a hotel.
Casa Dell’Arte is the name of the place, which more than a hotel was a home away from home in Bodrum, Turkey. A majestic residence with one of the most fascinating modern and contemporary private collections of art, overlooking the Aegean Sea; ancestral and contemporary pieces displayed in the utmost exquisite way all over the place. Being there was a dream, surrounded by beauty, kindness and the mysticism of Turkish culture.
Casa Dell’Arte 2011
Casa Dell’Arte 2018
Being with my beloved husband the first morning after our arrival, I saw a painting of Frida Kahlo on the wall, and amazed asked the manager, Sarah Mathieson, who was fond of Frida Kahlo at the hotel? And she replied, “Ahu the owner, loves her”… Days went by fascinated at the mansion, and one evening I received a phone call from Ahu welcoming us at her place, inviting us to meet in Istanbul to have dinner together. The gathering never happened due to Ahu´s flight being delayed and us leaving for Mexico. Although, we kept in touch for 5 years back and forth, always interwoven with Frida’s life, our different paths and a very special bond that no one could understand, except us.
On my journey to motherhood, Ahu had her third daughter, and she was a very special support to me when facing infertitlity. Once my daughter arrived into this world as a miracle, we promised ourselves that Arya and Farah would be so close and we would make it happen, this way our paths would be intertwined through the years to come.
On April 2016 my Turkish sister came on a business trip to Mexico with her company team, and our physical meeting finally happened in Puebla, for the first time, yet, our hearts had been so close all those years. Together, we celebrated with a Lebanese dinner at my home our “first encounter”, embracing each other and overlooking the Popocatépetl volcano, all guests, witnessed our special friendship converted into sisterhood. On that visit, I discovered she was a serious entrepreneur and investor who leads one of the most important automotive companies in Istanbul; and she discovered my personal universe as well, imbued with art and fantasy, both passionate about women power and art. Very far from our professional worlds, and yet, so close in our passions and dreams, joyful and in complete fulfilment, our spirits continued their journeys sharing from time to time pictures of our daughters and messages through the years.
On February 2018 I received a phone call, which overwhelmed me. Ahu invited me to go to Bodrum for 3 reasons and spend some time together with our daughters. The first one, to be the curator for an art residency and workshop at Arya’s Retreat, (A women´s investment platform that she leads); the second one, to tell our story by creating an Art Hotel inspired in Frida Kahlo’s essence and Tulum vibes; and the third one, to make our daughters spend Summer together and finally, both families coming together, after our first visit in 2011, seven years after my first stay in Casa Dell’Arte.
TULUM
The paradise we chose to meet with our families in 2016; Carlos, my spouse finally being introduced to Mert, Ahu´s husband, an of course, the spiritual sisters Farah and Arya after so many years of friendship. We became one family enjoying the Mayan Riviera, eating fish tacos and guacamole, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, like we were together for a lifetime.
Before their departure, a painting by artist Pedro Fonseka was in front of our eyes: Two Spiritual Sisters united by the artery of love, Mexican and Turkish sisters as the symbol of their mother´s sorority.
The journey had begun and many travels between Turkey and Mexico to create and develop our story into a place named Casa Hermanas. Many layers of personal stories, intertwining two women, a common dream, and our beloved daughters in a singular way.
The fantastic journey was about to unfold…
OAXACA
World Heritage City. Cradle of World Masters Rufino Tamayo, Francisco Toledo, Rodolfo Morales, José Luis García, Demián Flores and Uriel Barragan BOULER, the artist we chose to depict Casa Hermanas. Through his eyes we saw his land, taste mezcal, feel the magic that this place owns, and order the art pieces we would place at the property.
Together we lived the site of Monte Albán, the Ethnobotanical Garden, Santo Domingo Ex-Convent and enjoy wonderful views and food at Casa Oaxaca with chef Alejandro Ruiz; visited the Queen of Mezcal, Graciela Carreño at her “Palenque” Real Minero, the most wonderful, exquisite and handcrafted agave elixir; this brave Master of Mezcal showed us the process that happens from plant to bottle; the ancestral liquor and what her company is all about.
Our journey continued to Arrazola, a town where the Atelier of world known artists Jacobo & Ángeles is established; a place full of magic and magicians carving and creating amazing alebrijes (fantastic creatures in Mexican mythology) that would cross the ocean to arrive into Bodrum, Turkey. Every single piece comes from a specific tree, the Copal, an endemic wood of the region, then, with natural organic tinctures the people depict each piece with no pattern, but the one that comes from their intuition.
We were amazed every second of our tour in company of each other, feeling immersed into Coco’s film surrounded with fantasy and colour.
PUEBLA
Our second destination and the city where I was born. There, chef Alvaro Luna made a Mexican tasting menu at his restaurant Valiente, in order to share with us his signature dishes which would be offered in Casa Hermanas.
Unique moments were enjoyed with her daughter Lara, her sister in law Dido, and my beloved second mother Bebita, all amazed with the joy that surrounded us and the warmth of the people. The menu included black ceviche, guacamole, trio of tacos (fish, vegan and chicken) with hand made salsas and tortillas; grilled fish and exquisite beautiful deserts, ready to be exposed to my guests, and re-created in Turkish lands, on Summer 2018.
MEXICO CITY
Our experience with Basak, Ahu´s friend, began at the Anthropology Museum in Polanco; Modern Museum of Art where the world famous painting by Frida Kahlo, “Las Dos Fridas” was an unforgettable moment in our story. Our adventure continued at MACO Art Fair where she was able to know our contemporary art scene, which she loved. Also, a visit to the house of Pritzker price, architect Luis Barragán; and the gallery of Patricia Conde for contemporary photography.
My desire was to end our Mexico City voyage, by offering a sublime dinner at Dulce Patria, the epicenter of contemporary gastronomy by Star Chef Martha Ortiz. This warrior, woman and beautiful soul is passionate about our ancestral history, and translates it with style and uniqueness in every dish she creates.
A true Goddess in her temple.
Our colours, culture, art, handcrafts and traditions made Ahu and her family feel so alive and convinced about exporting part of it into her country, but most of all, the trust and the love we feel for each other.
Casa Hermanas was envisioned as a mythical place where in a precious way, the story I am telling you could be known; the sanctuary to feel connected by Frida Khalo’s memory, and the power of sorority.
Our Manifesto is about friendship and sisterhood. To share common perspectives about unleashing women’s talents, strengths, innovation, resilience and care for each other, beyond cultures, ages, or religions.
CASA HERMANAS LOGO
Master in Graphic Design Heberto Mendieta, was the magician who translated all our story and travels into a perfect colour scheme, and meaningful logo, expressing what Casa Hermanas is all about.
The Mexican Sacred Heart which portrays a divine love for humanity, and the Nazar Boncugu, the Turkish amulet used as protection in their culture. This is not only our symbol, but our visual belief.
FRIDA KAHLO
Frida Kahlo seen as the needle who threaded our life paths, and as the source of inspiration to (re) tell our odyssey in Casa Hermanas. The symbol of feminism and womankind when painting raw and true experiences faced by all of us. A fierce spirit looking at the spectator with resilience and dignity, sending a message of strength and hope.
The beloved Mexican artist through her artworks and personal journal, shows us how pain and sorrow can be transformed and translated into an act of beauty and creation, no matter what.
If we look at the core of Las Dos Fridas (The Two Fridas), her worldwide known painting, we are able to discover 2 women connected through a single long artery that bounds their hearts, nurturing each other and keeping them alive, mirroring themselves in their process of becoming.
In the same way, as a derivative artwork exhibiting the great vitality in Khalo’s work, the painting Las Hermanas by Mexican artist Pedro Fonseka inspired by Frida’s masterpiece, depicted our story through our daughters, Arya and Farah, two girls connected by their heart, smiling at the viewer expressing beauty and joy. If you look closer, you will discover a connection of two women as well their cultures and their personal universes.
No beginning, no ending but a story to be continued.
How does Mexico and Turkey remain so visible and yet so invisible? Las Dos Fridas and Las Hermanas are both a compendium of symbols and significance not only on an aesthetic level, but also on a personal one; a special story celebrated on a canvas.
THE STORYTELLERS
Mexican artist Uriel Barragán BOULER, bornin San Miguel Villa Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, depicted our narrative through his vision. He brought Casa Hermanas project alive, not only with his hands, but his heart and intuition in a diversity of art techniques; imbuing the place with ancestral stories using both, Turkish and Mexican mythologies. A fantastic outdoor gallery, displaying the power and luminosity of love, friendship and gratitude.
Turkish artist Ardan Özmenoglu, a captivating feminist spirit born in Ankara, also became a narrator in Casa Hermanas by creating some art pieces about Frida Kahlo.
She is known for her art works with Post-it notes in an attempt to depict in her own style. Her technique involves adhering an array of this paper notes to her canvas as a base, topped by silk-screened vibrant imagery of the Mexican artist.
OUR MANIFESTO
Casa Hermanas from a dream, it became a project in Bodrum, Turkey about seeing ourselves and our society as a woven tapestry made of various moments and people; seeking connectivity of anima and animus.
A place where magic and colour were felt in every corner and experience offered.
My life same like yours or Frida Kahlo´s, has been an emotional process that has driven my heart and soul towards a spiritual journey. I believe we came to this existence to evolve, to discover the true essence of love and become a most colourful version of us, by finding our sisters in this world.
I have found mine, the true blessings in my path, and I am open for more to come.
Wishing our story could serve as a tool for meditation about the importance of mirroring ourselves with other spirits, creating a statement of unity and oneness, far from any prejudice. We should not see women as the “other», but as equals. Sail away in the ocean of life and find your sisters in this life!
Dance, talk, laugh; work, pray, meditate; care for humanity and share your primal and universal force (the heart), which inevitably relate us to each other in a very profound way.
Trust me, magical things can happen!
Here is the narrative about our moments from 2011 to 2018, a testimony of the power of Sisterhood…
As beloved poet Rumi said: «Stop the flow of your words, open the window of your heart and let the spirit speak»…
We are mirrors for each other. We stand together beyond distance or time.
In profound gratitude to Ahu and her beautiful family.
In love with Esra and Lady Tina for creating such a meaningful piece of art: Casa Hermanas Heart, where I keep Ahu and all our Turkish memories close to mine…
In sorority with every woman who felt Frida Kahlo´s magic & the Power of Sisterhood.
You Are Me & Me Is You
Art Piece by TINA Jewellery
Baruch Vergara
Posted at 03:16h, 08 agostoLa parte mágica de cualquier relación es no haberla imaginado. El verdadero amor se construye de pequeños tiempos de perfecta conexión en el espacio. La creación misma es esa ilusión espontánea de un encuentro sin búsqueda.