6th Mardin Biennial to Explore Decolonial Coexistence and Deliberative Democracy
Set to take place in 2024, the 6th Mardin Biennial in Mardin, Turkey, will explore themes surrounding decolonial deconstruction, intersectional feminist and post-colonial struggles, as well as the idea of 'coexistence' as a means to overcome identity-based divisions. The curatorial statement encourages a rethinking of the battles against racism, class disparities, and ecological challenges into a 'deliberative democracy' for all living entities, drawing on Epicurus's notion of 'katastema'—a tranquil state achieved when pain is absent. The biennial will showcase a variety of international artists, including Sarkis, Nil Yalter, and Ayşe Erkmen, with guest speakers such as philosophers David Lapoujade and Eric Alliez. An image from the previous edition features Gülsün Karamustafa's textile collage 'Melancholic Basilisk' (1980–2022).
Key facts
- The 6th Mardin Biennial will take place in 2024 in Mardin, Turkey.
- The theme explores decolonial deconstruction, post-colonial and feminist intersectional struggle, and 'coexistence'.
- The concept of 'deliberative democracy' among all living beings is central, referencing 'The Parliament of Things'.
- Epicurus's 'katastema' is invoked as a state of serenity after pain disappears.
- Over 30 artists are listed, including Sarkis, Nil Yalter, Ayşe Erkmen, İnci Eviner, Ali Kazma, Cevdet Erek, Ahmet Öğüt, Nasan Tur, Aslı Çavuşoğlu, Serkan Özkaya, Claude Closky, Laurent Grasso, Bouchra Khalili, Tarek Atoui, Allan Sekula, Mika Rottenberg, Ugo Rondinone, Liam Gillick, and Victor Burgin.
- Guest speakers include David Lapoujade, Eric Alliez, Pierre Montebello, Elias Sanbar, Nilüfer Göle, and Bernard Blistene.
- The biennial aims to address changes in family relations, technology (AI, robotization), and ecological crises.
- An installation view from the 5th edition features Gülsün Karamustafa's 'Melancholic Basilisk' (1980–2022).
Entities
Artists
- Sarkis
- Nil Yalter
- Ayşe Erkmen
- İnci Eviner
- Ali Kazma
- Seza Paker
- Cevdet Erek
- Ahmet Öğüt
- Nasan Tur
- Aslı Çavuşoğlu
- Serkan Özkaya
- İnci Furni
- İrem Günaydın
- Özlem Altın
- Yüksel Arslan
- Güneş Terkol
- Güçlü Öztekin
- Esma Ertel
- Murat Ertel
- Büke Uras
- Yıldız Moran
- Claude Closky
- Bruno Serralongu
- Laurent Grasso
- Thierry Kuntzel
- Michele Ciacciofera
- Bouchra Khalili
- Tarek Atoui
- Allan Sekula
- Brice Dellsperger
- Mika Rottenberg
- Erik Bullot
- Aliocha İmhoff
- Kuantuta Quiros
- Fulvia Carnevale
- James Thornhill
- Ulay
- Frank Uwe Laysiepen
- Rafael Lain
- Angela Detanico
- Michael Amzalag
- Mathias Augustyniak
- Ugo Rondinone
- Liam Gillick
- Victor Burgin
- Gülsün Karamustafa
- David Lapoujade
- Eric Alliez
- Pierre Montebello
- Elias Sanbar
- Nilüfer Göle
- Bernard Blistene
Institutions
- Mardin Biennial
- Le Peuple Qui Manque Kolektifi
- Claire Fontaine Kolektifi
- M/M
Locations
- Mardin
- Turkey