Index
Dokumak 2010
Sile, Istanbul, Turkey, September 2010
An art in Public Space Research Project
In September 2010, seventeen RMIT Art in Public Space researchers took part in an artists in residency program over three weeks in Istanbul, Turkey, this year’s European Capital of Culture. The researchers included Geoff Hogg (Art in Public Space research leader), Claire Tracey, Pable Alvado, Shao Xiong Chia, Chloe Vallance, Rowena Martinech, Monika Poray, Penny Algar, Michel Teague, Karen Mayo, Danella Bennett, Gabi Brasil, Elaine Hogarty, Matthew Phelan, Suzie Pinchen and Tammy Wong. The research residency was the result of a ten year partnership with the Sile Local Government. Sile is a region of greater Istanbul located on the Black Sea and is well known as a beach resort to locals of the area.
RMIT’s partner organization the Sile Local Government hosted the artist researchers on a historical tour of Turkey giving the group a background to the richness of the countries heritage. In touring researchers experienced the famous sites of Troy, Gallipoli, Assos, Pergamon, Bursa, Cappadocia and Safron Bolu which provided a solid historical background before beginning the research residency.
At the end of the tour the researchers were based in Sile, Istanbul for over two weeks where they produced works to be displayed throughout the town. Artists responded to Turkey in unique and personal ways through the production of works of varied materials and content. A total of twenty-three projects were produced transforming the town centre into a site of exhibition.
Works by Rowena Martinich, Pablo Alvado, Michel Teague and Claire Tracey works were placed at a dormant space in a residential area with the area being re-landscaped into a public park for local residents prior to the launch. Karen Mayo, Danella Bennett, Penny Algar, Suzie Pinchen, Elaine Hogarty and Michel Teague created site specific works located throughout the main street of Sile, abandoned houses and functioning laneways. Empty shops used as studio space next to Sile Local Government offices into exhibition sites with the work of Matthew Phelan, Monika Poray, Chloe Vallance, Shao Xiong Chia and Tammy Wong.
The works were officially launched on Saturday 2nd October, 2010 by Sile’s Mayor Can Tabakcoglu. Locals of the area were invited to the launch to explore their own town through new interpretations of Sile by RMIT researchers.
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