Refik Anadol’s ‘Rumi Dreams’ digital exhibition makes waves in Hungary

The MODEM Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art in Debrecen, Hungary, is currently hosting the renowned Turkish media artist Refik Anadol’s digital exhibition, “Rumi Dreams.”

Organized in collaboration with the Turkish Embassy in Budapest, Refik Anadol Studio, Debrecen Municipality and Konya Metropolitan Municipality, this unique digital exhibition opened its doors on Aug. 3 as part of the 2024 Turkish-Hungarian Cultural Year.

“Rumi Dreams” brings to life the vibrant world of Rumi through an AI-based light and motion display. The exhibition, led by Konya Metropolitan Municipality, features an expansive collection of Mesnevi and Sufi music recordings interpreted through modern computer technologies.

Utilizing techniques of movement, light, color, and sound, the exhibition aims to convey Rumi’s idea of “revealing the light within our hearts.”

The exhibition is also part of the 58th Debrecen Flower Festival’s cultural program and will be open to visitors from Aug. 3 to Sept. 29.

The opening event saw a strong turnout of high-level officials, diplomatic representatives, local leaders, and figures from the culture, arts, academia and media.

Turkish Ambassador to Budapest Gulsen Karanis Eksioglu expressed her pleasure in hosting Refik Anadol’s work in Debrecen for the 2024 Turkish-Hungarian Cultural Year, thanking Yapi Merkezi and Synergy construction companies for their support.

Debrecen Municipality’s Deputy Mayor for Cultural Affairs Istvan Puskas and MODEM Director Kata Vizi expressed their joy at the opportunity to showcase modern Turkish art in Debrecen.

Following the opening ceremony, a panel moderated by digital art curator Viola Lukacs featured 3D video mapping artist Zsolt Bordos Laszlo and futurist image creator Ferenc Komlodi, who shared their impressions and insights on the “Rumi Dreams” exhibition with the audience.