Istanbul, 59 Locations: A Format For Nightcomers
Istanbul, 59 Locations: A Format For
Nightcomers, provides a screening format for Nightcomers, one of the night programme projects of the 10th International Istanbul Biennial (September 8 - November 4, 2007).
For the 10th International Istanbul Biennial, five curators from Turkey have been invited by Biennial curator Hou Hanru to select over 150 short video works from an open-call to the public.
Hou Hanru invited Bik Van der Pol to come up with a format for Nightcomers. Inspired by the phenomena of the 'dazibao, Bik Van der Pol responded with a 'video dazibao', asking: what is the most democratic form of expression in our age of new technology and global communication? How can this be demonstrated in the urban space today? What does access mean, really?
During the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s and 1970s, the 'lower class' was encouraged to post their critiques on the elite in the form of 'Dazibao' (a journal/poster with large letters). Street corners became public forums. In spite of totalitarian propaganda, this approach showed a form of radical democracy, and even assumes an urban guerrilla-like insurgency.
The 'Dazibao'was banned in China after the Cultural Revolution precisely because it challenged the totalitarian rule; it became the voice that called for reform and an openness from the 'bottom' of society.
Nightcomers, provides a screening format for Nightcomers, one of the night programme projects of the 10th International Istanbul Biennial (September 8 - November 4, 2007).
For the 10th International Istanbul Biennial, five curators from Turkey have been invited by Biennial curator Hou Hanru to select over 150 short video works from an open-call to the public.
Hou Hanru invited Bik Van der Pol to come up with a format for Nightcomers. Inspired by the phenomena of the 'dazibao, Bik Van der Pol responded with a 'video dazibao', asking: what is the most democratic form of expression in our age of new technology and global communication? How can this be demonstrated in the urban space today? What does access mean, really?
During the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s and 1970s, the 'lower class' was encouraged to post their critiques on the elite in the form of 'Dazibao' (a journal/poster with large letters). Street corners became public forums. In spite of totalitarian propaganda, this approach showed a form of radical democracy, and even assumes an urban guerrilla-like insurgency.
The 'Dazibao'was banned in China after the Cultural Revolution precisely because it challenged the totalitarian rule; it became the voice that called for reform and an openness from the 'bottom' of society.
Istanbul, 59 Locations: A Format For Nightcomers
Instead of designing an architectural structure, they developed a specific 'agit-prop' screening format for screenings on different locations all through Istanbul , and a free guidebook, to create full access with the Biennale on both sides of the Bosporus.
For an everyday public access to this exhibition, for the thousands of people living in areas who would normally not get in direct contact with contemporary art.
With ideally 59 screenings - one every night for the whole duration of the Biennial - throughout the city on different locations, Nightcomers continuously appeared and disappeared.
During the nights, the program, under the title of 'Nightcomers', were projected in public spaces in different parts of the city, from the centre to the periphery.
For an everyday public access to this exhibition, for the thousands of people living in areas who would normally not get in direct contact with contemporary art.
With ideally 59 screenings - one every night for the whole duration of the Biennial - throughout the city on different locations, Nightcomers continuously appeared and disappeared.
During the nights, the program, under the title of 'Nightcomers', were projected in public spaces in different parts of the city, from the centre to the periphery.
