6/9/2013
Gezi: The Beginning
Depo, Istanbul
This exhibition does not do anything other than recording with a bird's eye perspective the days between when the bulldozers entered Gezi Park and the police evacuated the park. And the reality lies in this simple, lived reality.
As with other urban rights struggles, such a level of support was not expected for the solidarity for Gezi Park. Demolishment of the park and its replacement by a shopping mall that looked like military barracks would not have impacted anybody that significantly. But there came a moment when it was impossible to sit at home. People dove into tear gas and pressurized water. "The best weapon is humor" stock phrase became more than a metaphor maybe for the first time in the world. Walls were adorned with images, poetry, slogans, jokes, and "entries."
Istiklal Avenue and Taksim are at the heart of not only Istanbul's, but also the whole country's cultural, entertainment world, its political memory, for decades. The poor neighborhoods that were evacuated for the sake of unfair rent, the economy of construction, and the cities that become unlivable with the neoliberal appetite became crystallized. At this point, until the overflow, the glass started to rapidly fill with drops that affected other fields of life, that were crushing.
A lot will be said of the reasons for, consequences and meaning of the Gezi Resistance-with stories that accumulated in 15-20 days. This exhibition does not do anything other than recording with a bird's eye perspective the days between when the bulldozers entered Gezi Park and the police evacuated the park. And the reality lies in this simple, lived reality.
As the longest summer of our recent history came to an end and we prepare for a new fall/winter season, it's time for us to review what we have been through. "Gezi: The Beginning" by just relaying the facts is an attempt to remind and recollect in which everyone can settle. It is also an introductory step for visitors in Istanbul who have been following Gezi from afar.
Photos by: Nar Photos, Şahan Nuhoğlu, Ahmet Şık, Nazım Serhat Fırat
Text: Merve Erol
Videos: Videoccupy
Sound collage: Açık Radyo, Simon Art
Photos by: Nar Photos, Şahan Nuhoğlu, Ahmet Şık,
Nazım Serhat Fırat
Texts: Merve Erol
Videos: Videoccupy
Sound collage: Açık Radyo, Simon Art
Exhibition design: Özlem Yılmaz
Opening: Saturday, 7 September 18:30
Depo
Istanbul Turchia
Luleci Hendek Cad.12, Koltukcular Cikmazi 1, Tophane
visiting hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11.00 - 19.00
All activities of DEPO are free of charge