Elska, Issue 6 – Istanbul, Turkey

Elska is a bi-monthly male photography and culture art-zine on 130 pages of beautifully stroke-able matte paper. Each issue is shot in a different city with men from that city, including not only their photographs but their stories too. It’s a sort of cross between a quasi-intellectual queer pin-up and a sort of sexy anthropology journal.

In this issue:
Liam Campbell’s Elska magazine may be the most practical travel guide in the world. Shying away from places and things, Elska concentrates on the men and boys living in a single city— in this sixth issue, Istanbul.

Liam Campbell states, “Istanbul [is] Turkey’s (as well as Europe’s) largest city. It’s also the LGBT capital of the Moslem world with a vibrant society holding on tightly to their freedom in a political climate that is increasingly conservative. It is because of this dynamism that this was one of the easiest issues yet to find men interested in participating in the Elska project. Despite problems with homophobia, including the recent violent suppression of the annual Pride march, the men here were fearless and proud to be part of this edition.“

“In the magazine you’ll meet thirteen local men and boys, photographed throughout the massive city, on both the Asian and European sides. Some are also shot in their ownhomes, giving an authentic and personal touch. Additionally, each contributed a short story from their life. The magazine includes texts in English, Turkish, and French (followed by English translations).”