NEW YORK, NY.- On the evening of April 17, 2025, the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in New York welcomed a dynamic crowd for the opening reception of Metropoli, a contemporary group exhibition curated by Lara Bayer. The event marked a vibrant cultural evening bridging Istanbul and New York, two metropolises with layered histories and vibrant artistic communities.



Guests arrived to a warm welcome that extended from the galleries to a buzzing rooftop celebration, complete with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a live DJ set. Among the attendees were artists and cultural figures including Hayley River Smith, Jenny Wang, Maria Paula Suarez, Grimanesa Amoros, Chris “Daze” Ellis, and Danielle Juliao, alongside Jordan Doner, one of the exhibiting artists, and Tugay Şen, Deputy Consul General of Türkiye in New York.



Metropoli, which runs through May 1, 2025, features works by ten international artists—Ali Bilge Akkaya, Çiğdem Aky, Logan Criley, Jordan Doner, Sedef Gali, Nick Hobbs, Leasho Johnson, Hasan Kale, Murat Palta, and Çağla Ulusoy—each exploring the complexities of urban life, identity, and cultural inheritance through various media.



The rooftop celebration served as an informal extension of the exhibition’s themes—crossroads, transformation, and layered histories—offering guests a panoramic view of New York’s skyline while reflecting on the contemporary connections between two global cities.



Curator Lara Bayer, who is based between Istanbul and New York, created Metropoli as a space for exchange and reflection. “It was incredibly moving to see so many people come together—artists, cultural producers, diplomats, and friends—to celebrate this vision,” she shared following the opening. “The energy in the room—and on the roof—was exactly what Metropoli is all about.”



Metropoli is presented with the generous support of Turkish Airlines.