The use of earth, fiber and glass has been a part of the craft tradition in Anatolia for several thousand years. Examples such as vessels dating back to 6000-7000 BC can be seen in museums today. The Hittites used baked clay tablets for their cuneiform writing. It is interesting to note that, in time, writing was transferred from ceramic to paper which was manufactured with fiber from plants.

Using fiber, the first mature examples of textile techniques like weaving, felting, and mat weaving appeared in the Near East in the Neolitic Age when man started dealing with animal domestication and agriculture. Ceramic art continued in traditional pottery forms and bricks, later as decorative tiles. With the rapid industrial development in the 19th century handcrafts were pushed aside as mass production spreaded out. Soon after, as new demands and aesthetic concerns emerged, design gained importance, designers became a necessity. Art schools opened one after the other. Traditional media and materials were closely examined and reassessed. In the twentieth century they gained new esteem and were integrated as sophisticated vehicles of free expression into contemporary art.The exhibition titled 'Earth and Fiber 2000' aims to bring together outstanding works by eight contemporary artists who use earth, glass and fiber as an expressive medium. Since the use of these materials have a history of thousands of years, its seemed appropriate to let the timing of the exhibit coincide with the beginning of 2000. Best wishes..