Official Independent Project of 9th Istanbul Biennale
Curated by Renée Vara and Asli Sumer
October 18-28, 2005
Rides between Besiktas & Uskudar Ports
Departing Every Hour on the Hour
http://www.iksv.org/bienal/english/?Page=Positionings&Sub=Simultane http://www.iksv.org/bienal/turkce.asp?Page=Positionings&Sub=Simultane
Lead Curators & Producers: Renée Vara and Asli Sumer
Curatorial Advisors: Ethan Cohen, Paul Middendorf and Mary Mattingly
Artists: Nicole Amore, Theo Angell, Elena Bajo, John Breiner, Nell Breyer, Donna Clovis, Orly Cogan, Aaron Day, Christoph Draeger, David Eckard, Tamar Hirschl, Ryan Jeffery, Erin Letterman, Michelle Livsey, Miranda Lloyd, Eva Mantell, Mary Mattingly, Zhu Ming, Naoto Nakagawa, Lindsey Nobel, Dina Noto, Agata Oleksiak, Rune Olsen, Jim Peters, Paige Saez, Avelino Sala, Lisa Schilling, Dana Shea, Raphaele Shirley, Shinique Smith, Stephanie Snyder, Amy Steel, Vicky Tomayko, Lauren Was, Jeannie Weissglass and Bernard Williams
Two Continents and Beyond: Waterways, led by Renée Vara and Asli Sumer, is the second statement in a series of interventions. Recontextualized around the specific concerns of Turkey, the show repeats guerilla practices on the Bosphorus and investigates the iconic role of the Vapur (the local public ferries) as the nexus of the politics surrounding trade, commerce and environmental resources.
Waterways: what began as a collective happening during the 2005 Venice Biennale now returns as an Official Independent Project of the 9th Istanbul Biennale. This collaborative group of over 30 artists and 7 curators initiated a critical dialogue regarding the relationship between the environment, natural resources and its role in systems of transportation.
The show, installed on one of Istanbul's largest vapurs, the Aykut Barka, will sail between the historic ports of Besiktas on the European coast and Uskudar on the Asian. The ride provides a conscious pause to actively engage and explore the complex dynamic inherent in the systems of politics and international exchange as it relates to environmental conservation and global warming.
This collaboration of artists and curators represent a collective commentary on such issues and wrestles with the utopian ideal embodied in closed systems and international exchanges of divergent viewpoints.
Press & Opening Reception: October 18th, 6PM at Kabatash Port
Opening VIP and Press Party: October 18th @ 9PM
artSumer Gallery
1.cadde No:62 Arnavutkoy 34345 Istanbul
Tel : 90-212-263-5623, www.artsumer.com
RSVP: mailto:rsvp@varaart.com
Further information and press images:
Renée Vara, T (001-921-1708), info@varaart.com
Asli Sumer, T (001-90-212-263-5623), info@artsumer.com
Further information regarding Waterways collective:
http://www.varaart.com/main.asp?page=waterways
www.waterways2005.blogspot.com
This project was realized in cooperation with Istanbul Metropolitan
Municipality and I.D.O.
Dexinger
e-flux
Kunstaspekte
Portlandart