Didem Özbek

artist and curator Didem Özbek giving a guided tour to art students during the 14th Istanbul Biennial on Büyükada, Princes' Islands, 2015
Didem Özbek, 2015

Didem Özbek (born in 1970)[1] is a conceptual artist, curator and graphic designer, living and working in Istanbul. She studied at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul and gained her MA in Communication Design at Central Saint Martins in London.

Practice

Özbek's artistic practice is research based. She develops conceptual art projects and works with installation, performance, limited edition artist book and printed material that encourage the participation of the audience.[2] Her work deals explores the impact migration has on demography, identity politics, global economic changes, community and belonging.[3] Her work has been shown internationally, in spaces such as Umetnostna Galerija Maribor (2006), Frieze Art Fair (2008),[4] Museo Madre, Napoli (2009), The Armory Show New York (2009), Tate Modern (2010), and the Asia Triennial Manchester (2011),[5] Gwangju Biennale “Facing Borders” (2018), curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong.[6] She was invited to panels like the round table Manifestation annullée at Centre Pompidou Paris together with Banu Cennetoglu and Halil Altindere.[7]

In 2006, she co-founded PiST/// Interdisciplinary Project Space[8] in Pangalti together with photographer Osman Bozkurt[9] – organising exhibitions, talks, screenings, discussions, publications, and performances by collaborating with local and international art professionals,[10][11] "a catalyst for a dialogue among other artist run/alternative spaces. Rather than being a closed box, PiST/// seems to be functioning as an open platform, where artists, administrators, curators get together and discuss".[12] PiST was also co-hosting an international research and production residency program for artists from Denmark and the Netherlands in collaboration with The Danish Arts Agency and Fonds BKVB / Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture.

Projects

2011: Life in the UK / Balance of Probabilities, a commission for the Asia Triennial in Manchester, Castlefield Gallery[13][14]

2012: He was working on a project in order to open a watermelon exhibition, a series of installations, performances and a talk-marathon, SALT Galata in Istanbul[15]

2015: Propulsion, Zilberman's project space[16] in Istanbul

2018: Dream Trip, Gwangju Biennale[17]

References

  1. ^ "Who's Who in Turkish Culture and Art: Didem Özbek". Turkish Cultural Foundation. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  2. ^ "People: Didem Özbek". Sharjah Art Foundation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Didem Özbek (TR): Upstairs/Downstairs". Local Global Plan. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  4. ^ Crow, Kelly (11 October 2008). "London's Frieze Prepares for a Chill". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Stereotype Vorstellungen" [Stereotypical ideas]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Didem Özbek". SAHA Association. 2019. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2019. SAHA provided support for the production of new works by Didem Özbek participating Gwangju Biennale held between 7 September and 11 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Istanbul éditions - éditeurs - Installations performances - 06 Dec 2009". Centre Pompidou (in French). 2009. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Haydi Yüzmeye Gidelim! Haydi Vapurlari İzleyelim!" [Let's go swimming! Let's Watch the Ferries!]. PiST /// Interdisciplinary Project Space (in English and Turkish). 30 December 2017. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  9. ^ Smith, Sarah-Neel (30 September 2007). "PiST/// Istanbul - The initiative's unconventional projects in Istanbul, its international network and local dialogue". Universes in Universe. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  10. ^ Wolfson, Elizabeth (12 April 2011). "Turkish and Other Delights". Art21 Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  11. ^ Bashiron Mendolicchio, Herman (January 2011). "Med Art Spaces. PiST/// Interdisciplinary Project Space". InterArtive. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  12. ^ Eğrikavuk, Işıl (March 2007). "A conversation with Fatoş Üstek" (PDF). Bootprint. 1 (1). St. Louis, Missouri: Boots Contemporary Art Space: 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Life in the UK / Balance of Probabilities: Osman Bozkurt & Didem Ozbek of PiST///". Castlefield Gallery. 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  14. ^ Porter, Sarah; Short, Emma (October 2011). "Life in the UK / Balance of Probabilities". Manchester Salon. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  15. ^ "He was working on a project in order to open a watermelon exhibition". Salt Galata Istanbul. 2012. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  16. ^ Kiger, Rumeysa (1 April 2015). "Artist Didem Özbek Focuses On Obstacles, Overcoming Obstacles". Haberler. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  17. ^ Benson, Louise (8 September 2018). "First Impressions from Asia's Oldest Art Biennial". Elephant Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.