Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie by Derya Geylani Vurusan

Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie by Derya Geylani Vurusan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Zilver in Beeldende Kunst en Kunstinstallatie Ontwerp Competition Category.

ZilverBeeldende Kunst· 2025

Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie

by Derya Geylani Vurusan

A' Design Award in Zilver Winner in Beeldende Kunst Category

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The Design

About Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie

Fountain of Life is een grootschalig openbaar kunstwerk dat is geïnstalleerd in een restaurant op de luchthaven van Istanbul. De sculptuur combineert een handgesneden fontein van travertijnsteen met handgevormde glazen spatten. De stenen fontein verwijst naar het verleden, terwijl de glazen spatten, zo gevormd dat ze lijken op te stijgen uit de fontein, het huidige moment uitdrukken. De stenen fontein is 3000 mm hoog en de glazen vormen variëren van 400 mm tot 1000 mm in hoogte. Gepolijste steen en semi-transparant glas veranderen van uiterlijk naarmate het licht over de oppervlakken beweegt.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Zilver

Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Zilver, een buitengewoon prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan topontwerpen die prachtig en indrukwekkend zijn. Winnaars in Zilver zijn enorm briljante en uiterst creatieve werken die de uitmuntende expertise, het talent en de scherpzinnigheid van hun ontwerpers illustreren. Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie wordt verwacht een prachtig paradepaardje te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en diepgaand innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Zilver heeft gewonnen, is een hoogst opmerkelijke, bewonderde uitvinding die baat en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verlegt. Fountain Of Life Openbare Kunstinstallatie is een zeer benijde creatie die verlangens oproept, positieve gevoelens brengt en verbazing en verwondering doet ontvlammen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is a sculptural piece in Istanbul Airport Kaimakk Restaurant that combines traditional travertine stone with large-scale glass splashes, representing the concept of time. The stone fountain symbolizes the past, while the glass splashes, shaped to appear as if they’re emerging from the fountain, capture the present moment. This design is unique due to its integration of materials and its symbolic representation of time, blending technics with a narrative that reflects both history and the present in a dynamic form.
Dimensions & Packaging: Material: Traditional travertine stone (fountain base) and hand-sculpted glass (splashes).
Dimensions:
Fountain: Height 3000mm, Width 1800mm, Depth 1800 mm
Glass splashes: Varying heights from 400 mm to 1000 mm

Production Method: Hand-carved travertine stone combined with hot glassblowing techniques.
Finish: Polished stone surface, semi-transparent glass finish.
Packaging: Custom-made wooden crate with protective padding for safe transport.
Tags: glass, contemporary glass, glass art
Production Technology: The piece was created by combining traditional materials with modern glassblowing techniques. The fountain was sculpted from travertine stone, chosen for its historical significance and texture. The glass splashes were shaped using advanced hot glass sculpting techniques, requiring precise control of temperature and pressure to achieve the desired fluid, dynamic effect. The challenge was integrating these materials in a way that highlighted their contrasting properties while conveying the passage of time through form and texture.
Design Challenge: The hardest part of the installation was merging two contrasting materials—traditional travertine stone and dynamic glass—into a cohesive design. Overcoming technical obstacles, such as controlling the shape and flow of the glass while maintaining the integrity of the stone, was crucial. Additionally, the limited production possibilities for large-scale glass sculptures and the need for precision posed significant challenges in execution.
Research: The research behind The installation is conceptual and experimental, focusing on the symbolic representation of time through material choice and form. The objective was to explore how contrasting materials like travertine stone and glass can embody past and present. Insights showed that combining history with dynamic forms creates a powerful narrative. The research impacts design by blending heritage and innovation, influencing both art and architecture in the creation of immersive, meaningful spaces.
Inspiration: The inspiration for the installation stems from my ongoing exploration of time in my Moment series. The project reflects the interplay between the past, present, and future. Traditional travertine stone, representing history, contrasts with the dynamic glass splashes, which symbolize the present moment frozen in time. Technically, the challenge of merging such contrasting materials to convey temporal concepts drove the design, aiming to create a timeless yet dynamic narrative.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2023 and finished in August 2023. The project located in Istanbul Airport, departure departmant, Kaimakk Restaurant.
Operation Flow: The project is a static installation, allowing viewers to interact visually. The object doesn’t operate in a traditional sense but transforms through its aesthetic impact. The interaction occurs as light shifts across the glass splashes and stone, creating varying reflections. Key moments happen as viewers observe the contrast between the solid, timeless stone and the dynamic, fluid glass. The piece’s strength lies in its ability to evoke emotions and thoughts about time, inviting viewers to reflect on the past and present.
Image Credits: Photo Credits: Sibel Ekenoglu