The Walk-in Cinema inside the SALT Beyoglu building sits on a byway connected to Istiklal Street, one of the most important pedestrian streets of Istanbul. As the name also suggests, this is an open space which connects to the Istiklal street via the ground area of the building. The partition-less space signifies the openness to any idea that will be shared within. In this context, the institution's major aim is to become a flexible space open to any kind of intervention is further realized in the cinema space.
SALT Beyoglu's Walk-in Cinema provides an environment that fuses SALT's programs with the potential of spontaneous public use, its content shaped under common initiatives of the institution and its participants. In addition to presentations, screenings, events and workshops relating to SALT's exhibitions and research, the cinema is open to impromptu dance, theatre and performance rehearsals.
Converted by the firm of Suyabatmaz & Demirel under the direction of partner Hakan Demirel, the Walk-in Cinema uses the same surfacing material in the cinema space as the forum area, which resembles the stone surface of the Istiklal street. This enables the visitors to suddenly find themselves inside the Walk-in cinema while wandering inside the building's ground floor. The slightly raised ramp at the end of the forum area lets the visitors to drop by into a more concentrated space. This impromptu space dictates nothing to its users. Visitors may watch either by sitting or standing and they are free to come by or leave whenever they want, even in the middle of the event taking place on the stage or on the screen.
An extension of its entryway, SALT’s Walk-in Cinema forms an intimate platform for spontaneous activities, performances and talks, in addition to its programmed screenings.