transients

Transients is a project by Céline Manz that weaves together autobiographical research and collective memory. The artist, an adoptee, retraces the journey of her biological father, who migrated from Ankara to Zurich in the 1970s by train. With this process, Manz initiates an inquiry into the socio-psychological conditions faced by Turkish undocumented workers in Switzerland during that era.

spells

At Saye in Istanbul, she presents Spells, an evolving installation that materializes her preliminary research. Hanging from the ceiling and walls are delicate macramé nazar amulets, crafted from mohair wool, an exported product from Ankara. The wool, too fragile for the technique, causes the knots to break and be retied, evoking the fragility and resilience of undocumented lives. These amulets are interwoven with glass beads and ancient protective spells.

For the opening, Nisan Berkol, Damla Durman, and Volkan Ergen develop a performative sound reaction to the installation and in dialogue with the artist.

Through daily open workshops, the artist invites Saye’s visitors to join her in creating protective amulets together. The shared activity of handicraft is a moment for shared reflections on migration, memory, and cultural identity.

Exhibition Aug 8th – 15th

Opening Aug 8th, 19:00-22:00

Performance by Nisan Berkol, Volkan Ergen and Damla Durman, 20:00

Finissage Aug 15th

Saye Kolektif: Bülbül, Küçük Duvarcı Sk. No:16, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul

Curation: Eléonore Varone

cÉline manz

*1981, lives and works in Basel (Switzerland)

As a research-based artist, Céline Manz explores power structures and cultural systems through a mix of theory, archives, and hands-on studio work. She blends in-depth research with physical experimentation, aiming to deconstruct her own and the audience's perceptions in order to re-enact and reflect on complex themes. Describing her method as “forensic performative,” she brings research to life through auditory, tactile and embodied insight — creating layered works that connect personal experience with broader social narratives.

Céline Manz is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London and the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, her work explores fragmented narratives, feminist archival gestures, and the unstable status of images across time and media. She’s the founder of STUDIO 47 PRESS, an artist-run publishing platform dedicated to multiples and small editions.

Her recent solo exhibitions include Carte Blanche at L’Aubette 1928 in Strasbourg (2024), Vessels at DOCK in Basel (2024), and 9 espaces distincts at Kunsthaus Langenthal (2020). Manz’s work has been shown internationally in group exhibitions such as the Swiss Art Awards in Basel (2024), 'We are so many here' Kunsthalle Basel (2022), 'Unraveling Frequencies, at MeetFactory in Prag, Channeling at Frieze London (2023), Annemarie von Matt – Je ne m’ennuie pas, on m’ennuie at the Centre culturel suisse in Paris (2020), and The London Open at Whitechapel Gallery (2018). Among others, she is the recipient of the 'Regionale'- prize by Basler Kunstverein (2022), the 'Swiss Kids Award 2024' (CH) the 'Studio Makers Prize 2019' (GB) and the '3Package Deal' by Amsterdam Fund for the Arts AFFK (2014).

Her projects are part of several public collections, including Basler Kunstverein, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and the National Library of the Netherlands.

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