Author: Arie Amaya-Akkermans

Arie Amaya-Akkermans is an art critic and senior writer for The Markaz Review based in Turkey, formerly Beirut and Moscow. His work is mostly concerned with the relationship between archaeology, classical antiquity and modern culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, with an emphasis on contemporary art. His byline has appeared previously on Hyperallergic, the San Francisco Arts Quarterly, Canvas, Harpers Bazaar Art Arabia, and he is a regular contributor for the popular Classics blog Sententiae Antiquae. Previously, he was a guest editor of Arte East Quarterly, a recipient of an experts fellowship from IASPIS, Stockholm, and a moderator in the talks program of Art Basel.

5 March, 2023 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

For Those Who Dwell in Tents, Home is Temporal—Or Is It?

Home is increasingly an elusive quality in an era of war, climate disaster, economic collapse and family misfortune.

20 February, 2023 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

Letter From Turkey—Antioch is Finished

TMR's senior writer in Turkey, Arie Amaya-Akkermans, travels to one of the worst-hit areas to survey earthquake damage and talk to survivors.

23 January, 2023 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

On Lebanon and Lamia Joreige’s “Uncertain Times”

Arie Amaya-Akkermans reflects on Lamia Joreige's "Uncertain Times," which represents the Lebanese wars and their aftermath.

13 June, 2022 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

Film Review: “Memory Box” on Lebanon Merges Art & Cinema

Arie Akkersmans-Amaya reviews the latest film by Lebanese artist duo Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, whom he interviews.

15 March, 2022 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

On “True Love Leaves No Traces”

From Leonard Cohen to Apollo and Daphne to French philosopher Jean-Lun Nancy, Arie Akkermans-Amaya looks at the influences of an Istanbul exhibition.

7 February, 2022 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

(G)Hosting the Past: On Michael Rakowitz’s “Reapparitions”

Arie Akkermans reviews an Iraqi American's exhibitions as they attempt to recreate missing and destroyed artifacts taken from the National Museum of Iraq after the American invasion in 2003.

19 November, 2021 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

Etel Adnan’s Sun and Sea: In Remembrance

Art critic Arie Amaya-Akkermans summons the gods of art and poetry as he reviews the life work of the late polymath Etel Adnan, 1925-2021.

23 May, 2021 • Arie Amaya-Akkermans

War Diary: The End of Innocence

Arie Amaya-Akkermans investigates Agenda 1979: Imagine sitting at home in the presence of a handbook for destroying, bombing, maiming and injuring. The poet Etel Adnan features prominently.