Gian Maria Tosatti's Istanbul installation confronts urban erasure in Tarlabaşı neighborhood

In Istanbul's Tarlabaşı district, Gian Maria Tosatti has unveiled an immersive installation titled 'My Heart is a Void, the Void is a Mirror,' which critiques the shortcomings of democracy in marginalized areas. Set within a crumbling art nouveau structure, the installation features a performance by a young deaf girl who plays a 1930s Richard Crooks recording to mask the sounds of demolition. Tosatti spent six years developing this work while managing a merry-go-round for local children. Tarlabaşı, known for its diverse population, is currently facing redevelopment by TOKI, leading to the largely vacant Taksim 360 complex. The installation showcases items such as a snowglobe devoid of a city and Turkish translations of significant literary works. Notably, Istanbul experienced an unusually heavy snowfall at the end of March during this installation.