Shoe Shine Box by Thomas Büsch

Location: Büyük Valide Han

September 14th – 28th

daily – 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Blending Timeless Tradition is an evocative art installation that features a traditional shoe shine box as its central object. The work reflects on the intersection of daily labour, cultural heritage, and urban life, transforming a simple, often overlooked tool into a symbol of history, skill, and human connection. Through this installation, the artist invites viewers to consider the value of everyday craftsmanship and the narratives embedded in objects that carry generations of practice and care.

Thomas Büsch is a Berlin-born artist, filmmaker, and curator based in Istanbul. He has exhibited in the Gallery of Andreas Weiss in Berlin and published the art magazine Clubmedia. He also held residencies at PS1 Museum in New York and in Istanbul (supported by the Berlin Senate) and was part of the documenta IX team in Kassel. As co-founder of the Mahalla Festival, Büsch develops collaborative projects and documentaries exploring migration, identity, and social resilience, including Searching Traces, The Wandering Tower, and Palimpsest. His practice bridges contemporary art, socially engaged storytelling, and international cultural dialogue.

Photographs and videos will be taken at the event for use on our website and social media, and in the press, and other marketing materials and publications. By entering this event, you consent to the photographing, filming and using your image for these purposes.