Five Italian Artists Reflect on Turkey's Turmoil in Ankara Exhibition
From September 10 to October 11, 2019, five Italian artists—Federica Cogo, Maria Luigia Gioffrè, Flavia Tritto, Dione Roach, and Nicola Guastamacchia—took part in a residency organized by the Italian Embassy in Turkey in collaboration with Güler Sanat Gallery. This initiative coincided with Giornata del contemporaneo and concluded with the opening of the exhibition "From a Distant Proximity," which was inaugurated by Italian Ambassador Massimo Gaiani. The showcased works explored issues of violence, identity, and the influence of art in times of conflict, reflecting the social landscape of Turkey amid military strife. Featured pieces include Cogo's "Violant," Gioffrè's "Siir Oldu," Tritto's "The Scandal of Particularity," Roach's urban landscapes, and Guastamacchia's wallpaper installation. The exhibition is set to continue until November 29, 2019.
Key facts
- Five Italian artists participated in a residency in Ankara promoted by the Italian Embassy and Güler Sanat Gallery.
- The residency ran from September 10 to October 11, 2019, during the Giornata del contemporaneo.
- The exhibition 'From a Distant Proximity' opened on October 11, 2019, with Italian Ambassador Massimo Gaiani present.
- Artists: Federica Cogo (Thiene, 1985), Maria Luigia Gioffrè (Soverato, 1990), Flavia Tritto (Bari, 1994), Dione Roach (Florence, 1989), Nicola Guastamacchia (Bari, 1990).
- Cogo's series 'Violant' uses Anatolian cushions and a violet/magenta filter to symbolize violence.
- Gioffrè's work 'Siir Oldu' explores the role of art in the Anthropocene.
- Tritto's installation references cave paintings from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
- Roach's paintings address urban sprawl and female representation in Turkey.
- Guastamacchia was asked not to exhibit collages of Erdogan; he initially refused but later complied.
- The exhibition is at Güler Sanat Gallery in Ankara until November 29, 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Federica Cogo
- Maria Luigia Gioffrè
- Flavia Tritto
- Dione Roach
- Nicola Guastamacchia
- Kemal Orta
- Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano
- Massimo Gaiani
- Augusto Boal
Institutions
- Italian Embassy in Turkey
- Güler Sanat Gallery
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Artribune
Locations
- Ankara
- Turkey
- Thiene
- Soverato
- Bari
- Florence
- Syria
- Anatolia
- Ümitköy