Sub Karaköy, a hotel where art is embedded in the very architecture, became the canvas for one of Istanbul’s most celebrated street artists, Leo Lunatic. Curated by Pınar Goodstone, this site-specific installation features a glowing, abstract crow—Sub’s symbolic guardian—brought to life in collaboration with fellow artist Gazi. The piece blends street culture with poetic symbolism, capturing the essence of Sub: bold, layered, and deeply tied to the city’s soul. In addition to the interior work, Leo also created Sub’s exterior façade—an expansive neon graffiti piece that comes alive at night, casting a radiant glow over Karaköy.

Rendered in neon and expressive brushwork, the crow draws on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, evoking themes of memory, transformation, and watchfulness. During the painting process, a spontaneous visit from rapper Mikrop added a moment of unexpected magic—he played an unreleased track while Leo painted, turning the bar into a live intersection of music, poetry, and art. The crow doesn’t just look back—it radiates presence, acting as both beacon and echo.

Positioned across from works by Aaron “Sharp” Goodstone, the legendary New York graffiti artist, Leo’s crow creates a cross-continental dialogue between two generations of rebellious art. Curator Pınar Goodstone envisioned this space as one where narratives of resistance and expression could coexist—and Leo delivered. The result is a permanent installation that pulses with energy, mystery, and the unmistakable voice of the street.

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