Case Study: Nike DN8 Istanbul - The Circular Mind

Project Title: Nike DN8 - The Circular Mind
Discipline: Experiential Installation, Live Art
Brief: To physically manifest Nike's circular DNA.
Solution: A live studio & gallery tower.
Result: A defining centerpiece that captivated the event.

My Role: Concept Design, Live Art, Photography, Creative Direction

Nike approached us with a challenge: to physically manifest the essence of their "DN8" philosophy—the circular, iterative DNA of innovation—for a major international event in Istanbul. The venue, the historic Old Atatürk Airport, provided a raw, industrial canvas. The brief was not just to display art, but to create an immersive experience that would make the creative process tangible and awe-inspiring. They needed a centerpiece that was both a sculpture and a story.

April 2025

  • We proposed a concept that moved beyond a static exhibition: "The Circular Mind," a live, functioning artistic ecosystem.

    The centerpiece was a custom-built, circular metal tower, serving as both gallery and studio. This structure was a physical metaphor for the DN8 DNA strand—a continuous loop of inspiration, creation, and expression.

    1. The Live Installation: I was situated within the heart of the tower, working live in a transparent "mind-space." Visitors could witness the creative process in real-time—from editing photos taken at the event to composing new digital worlds on large screens. This demystified the artistic process and turned it into a performance.

    2. The Integrated Gallery: The exterior of the tower was a curated exhibition. It featured a blend of my pre-existing photographic work and new images captured simultaneously during the event itself. This created a powerful, immediate feedback loop, showcasing how present inspiration (the event) interacts with past experience (my archive) to fuel new creation.

  • The installation was a dynamic hub for the duration of the event.

    • The circular tower acted as a magnetic focal point, drawing attendees into the narrative.

    • The live workflow display provided a constantly evolving visual spectacle, making each visitor's experience unique.

    • The exhibited photos, printed on large-format metal and integrated into the tower's architecture, provided a tangible, high-quality connection to the art, bridging the digital and physical realms.

  • The "Circular Mind" installation successfully transformed an abstract brand philosophy into a visceral, memorable experience. It didn't just tell the story of circular DNA; it allowed people to walk inside it.

    • Engagement: The tower became the most photographed and discussed element of the event, driving significant social media engagement.

    • Brand Alignment: Nike was positioned not just as a sponsor, but as a patron of cutting-edge, process-driven creativity.

    • Artistic Integrity: The project served as a powerful statement on the artist's role in the modern world: not as a secluded figure, but as an open-source engine of innovation.

    "The project was a perfect synthesis of brand ethos and artistic vision. It demonstrated that true innovation isn't a straight line, but a continuous, living loop."

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