Tactics of Invisibility
9 April–5 June 2011
Istiklal Caddesi, 211
Beyoglu, Istanbul
Turkey
Co-curated by ARTER’s Exhibitions Director Emre Baykal and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary’s Chief Curator Daniela Zyman, “Tactics of Invisibilty” brings together works by 14 artists and collectives: Nevin Aladağ, Kutluğ Ataman, Cevdet Erek, Ayşe Erkmen, Esra Ersen, İnci Eviner, Nilbar Güreş, Hafriyat, Ali Kazma, Füsun Onur, Sarkis, Hale Tenger, Nasan Tur and xurban_collective.
“Tactics of Invisibility” aims to generate a discussion on different angles of the central concept it tackles. While encompassing multilayered strategies to understand or cross the threshold between the visible and invisible the works in the exhibition draw attention to the repressed or the silenced; they express the implications of exclusion from the regime of visibility, concealment as a means of reflection, and the uncanny state between presence and absence; and reveal what is beneath the surface, in addition to rendering the invisible visible. While bringing together the works of artists from different generations, “Tactics of Invisibility” investigates the potential of the interaction of their productions, as opposed to offering an art historical inventory or adopting a chronological approach.
A co-production by the Vehbi Koç Foundation and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary (T-B A21), “Tactics of Invisibility” has been conceptualised as an exhibition in three parts. The project, launched in 2008 with preparatory research, was first realised at T-B A21 in Vienna in April 2010 and adapted to Tanas, Berlin in September of the same year. As planned, the project’s journey concludes with the final stage of the exhibition held at ARTER, Istanbul. The exhibition, which began its journey at T-B A21, was restructured according to its new contexts taking into account spatial specificities as it travelled to Tanas and ARTER.
In line with the vision of both institutional organising partners, the project was also conceived in a manner to facilitate the production of new works. The works of Nevin Aladağ, Cevdet Erek, Ayşe Erkmen, Hafriyat and xurban_collective featured in the exhibition were thus commissioned for “Tactics of Invisibility” and realised with the support of the two organisers to premier at the exhibition.
A programme of artist talks will also be held within the scope of “Tactics of Invisibility”. For more information on the talks and other events, please visit arter.org.tr.
ARTER – space for art
Initiated by the Vehbi Koç Foundation (VKF), ARTER opened on 8 May, 2010, with the collection-based exhibition “Starter”, curated by René Block.
ARTER is conceived as an exhibition space and its programmes are created with the aim of encouraging production of contemporary artworks, providing a platform of visibility for artistic practices, producing and presenting exhibitions curated from the VKF contemporary art collection, as well as from private collections and archives.
Opening Hours
Tuesday–Thursday 11:00–19:00
Friday–Sunday 12:00–20:00
Admission free.
For more information:
www.arter.org.tr
Media Contact
For additional information, images or to request an interview, please contact:
Idil Kartal
idil.kartal@gmail.com
T: +90 212 243 37 67
M: +90 542 216 60 09
*Images above:
Above:
Nasan Tur, “Berlin says…”, 2010
Performance and video documentation
Commissioned by the Vehbi Koç Foundation and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
Installation view: Tanas, Berlin, 2010
Photo © Uwe Walter
Below:
Esra Ersen, “I am Turkish, I am Honest, I am Diligent…”, 2005
Installation
21 Turkish school uniforms; single-channel video projection, 45′, colour, sound
Collection of the Vehbi Koç Foundation
Installation view: T-B A21, Vienna, 2010
Photo © Michael Strasser, T-B A21
