Arkas Logistics took part as logistics sponsor in the opening of Never There, the latest exhibition by the renowned contemporary artist Ahmet Gunestekin, hosted at the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GNAM) in Rome. Curated by Sergio Risaliti and Paola Marino, the exhibition opened on June 30 and will be open to visitors until September 30.
Arkas Logistics continues to support projects that transport not only goods but also knowledge, culture, and values. As the logistics sponsor of Ahmet Gunestekin’s exhibition Never There, opened at the GNAM Museum in Rome, Arkas Logistics’ expert teams meticulously transported the artworks to the city, where they were presented to art enthusiasts.
Secure and Fast Transport Process
Arkas Logistics completed the transportation of the artworks for the exhibition’s preparation within a short period of nine days. These works were moved using three trailers, with special packaging, insurance coverage, and additional security measures, all under the supervision of expert teams.
Exclusive Pre-Opening Reception
Prior to the opening, Bernard Arkas, Vice President of Arkas Holding, and his wife, Funda Arkas, hosted a special reception at “Terraza Cafarelli,” located on the terrace of the Capitoline Museums. The dinner brought together a distinguished group of guests from Türkiye and Italy, including Türkiye’s Ambassador to Rome, Elif Camoglu Ulgen, and her husband, Sinan Ulgen.
The Intersection of History and Art
Founded in 1883 and managed by Renata Cristina Mazzantini, the museum houses one of the most important collections of Italian modern and contemporary art. The exhibition, held in this majestic museum that contains approximately 20,000 works, was organized under the leadership of Angelo Bucarelli.
Gunestekin’s installation Never There, which gives the exhibition its title, was presented to visitors in the neoclassical hall, where Antonio Canova’s iconic sculpture Hercules and Lichas is located. The work strikingly revealed the traces of human brutality by drawing on the physical tension present in Canova’s marble sculpture, inviting viewers to reflect deeply on the concepts of power and violence. Another memorable work, Reminiscence Bump, a massive installation made from thousands of rubber shoes, was displayed at the center of a hall surrounded by classical war paintings, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. This monumental work was highly acclaimed for its powerful portrayal of historical trauma and collective memory.
A Contribution from Turkish Art to World Heritage
Gunestekin’s sculptures, Seven-Eyed Sun and Sarcophaguses of Alphabet, were accepted into the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome, once again proving the universal value of Turkish art. From the 19th century to the present day, this world-renowned institution has housed a unique collection that includes works by some of the most influential figures in art history, such as Canova, Cézanne, Malevich, Kandinsky, Klimt, van Gogh, Warhol, Duchamp, and Picasso.
