Thursday, February 8, 2024
“At the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, the Türkiye Pavilion will host the unveiling of “Shattered and Void: A Reflection on Our World,” a captivating new exhibit by Gülsün Karamustafa, renowned for her provocative and influential work in Türkiye’s art scene. This exhibit is a tapestry of sculptural elements, crafted from reclaimed materials, offering a meditation on the world’s current predicaments, echoing the chaos of a world in disarray and the looming threats to human existence.
This showcase is orchestrated by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, alongside partnerships with Turkish Airlines and production assistance from the SAHA Association.
“What I am dealing with” Karamustafa says of this work, “is the state of a world hollowed out to the core by wars, earthquakes, migration and nuclear peril unleashed at every turn, threatening humankind while nature is ceaselessly scathed and the environment made sick.
I attempt to physically and emotionally summon into existence this phenomenon: the emptiness, the hollowness, the brokenness produced by the devastation that has become commonplace, whose pace becomes ever more impossible to keep up with, by the unimaginable grief that keeps on striking again and again at relentless intervals, by empty values, identity struggles and brittle human relationships.”
Karamustafa’s exhibit is a spatial narrative, embracing unconventional techniques and diverse mediums to delve into the turmoil that blankets the globe, portraying it as a “battlefield of endless transformation.” A particular focus of her work shines a light on the age-old strife among different faiths, emphasizing their perpetual discord through history.
Gülsün Karamustafa stands as a pivotal figure for emerging artists, with a career spanning over five decades that interrogates themes such as Türkiye’s modernization, displacement, memory, migration, local identities, cultural disparities, and gender issues, through a multifaceted lens. Her artistic arsenal includes painting, installations, photography, video, and performance art, all while addressing social and political injustices with a historical perspective.
Her artistic footprint stretches across numerous international biennials and has led to solo exhibitions in prestigious institutions worldwide. Karamustafa’s art is a permanent fixture in several major collections, and she has been honored with significant awards such as the Roswitha Haftmann Prize and the Prince Claus Award.
Residing and creating in both Istanbul and Berlin, Karamustafa’s influence continues to resonate through the art world. The accompanying publication for the Biennale Arte 2024’s Türkiye Pavilion, featuring contributions from twelve authors on the materials used in her latest work, insights into her previous projects, an interview, and sketches, reflects the depth of her artistic inquiry. This book, edited by Melis Cankara and designed by Esen Karol with Yelta Köm as design consultant, will be available in both Turkish and English.
The Türkiye Pavilion’s advisory board for 2022-2024 includes distinguished figures from the cultural and artistic community, ensuring the representation of Türkiye’s vibrant art scene on the international stage.
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), a beacon for Istanbul’s cultural enrichment since 1973, continues to foster cultural vitality through a diverse array of festivals, biennials, and year-round events. Its commitment to cultural dialogue and support extends through innovative initiatives, including the Ortaklaşa project and the Instrument Fund for Earthquake Region, showcasing İKSV’s dedication to nurturing the arts and culture landscape in Türkiye and beyond.”
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
