intervention in between spaces.

The book: »Intercity Istanbul Berlin« just came out from the Dağyeli publishing based in Berlin by three editors: Mario Pschera, Çağla İlk, Çiçek Bacık. To introduce the book, the editors invited me and Jesko Fezer for a afternoon talk about our contribution (Pelin Tan-Jezko Fezer: Eingriff in Zwischenräume) at the gallery Maifoto.


In our past collaborations with Jesko Fezer, we firstly focused on the urban marketing strategies of the two cities Istanbul and Berlin (in 2005, How to Sell the City? Berlin or Istanbul, Radikal Biennial Newspaper). In 2007 we were invited to write for the 10th Istanbul biennale book in which our text was focusing on the neo-liberal strategies in relation to governmentality, specific monumental buildings of modern heritage of both cities and the role of artistic practices in intervening the old modern buildings. In our recent contribution for the Intercity Berlin Istanbul book, we are discussing few examples of artistic interventions and recent urban activism in both cities. In our discussion last week in the book presentation; with the questions from the audience, the discussion went to the issue about the role of art in gentrification and how a “bienal” as a temporary institution has a role in the process of gentrification. The discussion end up with diverse opinions of me and Jesko about how art practices could function as an institutional agency. I think more and more that there is a danger when art in urban space pretends as an agency. I feel that it dismisses the potentialities of creating autonomous space for public also possibilities of gift economy, which is about alternative community economy that can lead to contra-cultural practices. But, maybe I am wrong. I guess Jesko meant that temporary and experimental institutions are more needed through that kind of art practices in order to open new public spheres. I, we still thinking about it...





Info about the book:

Mario Pschera, Çağla İlk, Çiçek Bacık (Hrsg.)
»Intercity Istanbul Berlin«

344 Seiten + 16 Farbseiten
mit zahlreichen Abb.
zweisprachig türkisch-deutsch
ISBN 978-3-935597-79-1

Eine Publikation von Forum Berlin Istanbul und Dagyeli Verlag