Burak Delier
Freedom has no script
26 March–17 May 2014
Press view: 25 March, 10am–noon
Preview: 25 March, 6:30–8:30pm
Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts)
Rivington Place
London EC2A 3BA
Turkish artist Burak Delier exhibits recent work and a new film commissioned by Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) at Rivington Place from 26 March to 17 May. Delier’s work explores the relationship between capitalism and art, balancing seriousness and wit to critique society in a way that is relevant to Turkey and beyond.
Burak Delier’s work is acutely political. The artist took inspiration for the exhibition’s title, Freedom has no script, from the chaotic, anarchic spirit of recent uprisings and protest movements such as those in Istanbul’s Gezi Park, Tahrir Square, and Occupy in New York. He is interested in the relationship between the idea of freedom, spontaneity, improvisation and creativity, believing that freedom is not the outcome of a pre-determined script, but is created from incertitude, suspense, desire, and being compelled to ‘do something.’
Works in the exhibition include several film installations such as Collector’s Wish (2012), The Deal (2013), Crisis and Control (2013) and Iniva’s new commission Songs of the Possessed (2014). These subtle and playful works look at the concept of economy and explore the place of ‘power’ in the cultural system as well as how people can resist the nature of the corporate environment. For many of these films he involves participants, who become part of his research and contribute to the power of the artworks.
Songs of the Possessed centres on office workers, playing with notions of how people express their emotions in the workplace. The film follows groups of two or three workers, at first being frustrated or angry with each other, then being sympathetic and understanding of one another. As the camera continues to circle the group, the film allows the viewer to imagine what is being said, to become involved in a full range of emotions, and to relive their own experiences.
Crisis and Control features real white-collar workers who practice yoga as a way of dealing with the stress of their careers. Participants discuss the conflicts between their work and private lives—all the while adopting strenuous yoga positions, still dressed in their formal work attire. The resulting interviews resemble a counselling session for the neo-liberal economy.
Delier is the first recipient from Iniva’s Commissions and Exhibitions Fund, which aims to provide the next generation of artists from around the world with the opportunity to create new work.
Burak Delier
Burak Delier (born 1977) lives and works in Istanbul. He studied Fine Art at the University of Marmara and the University of Yildiz and has had solo exhibitions in Istanbul at PILOT and OUTLET and taken part in group exhibitions across Europe. His work was shown at the Taipei Biennial in 2008 and 2010 and the Istanbul Biennial in 2005 and 2007. He also had a show at PILOT during the 2013 Istanbul Biennial titled Play your part and the script will follow. This is his first showing in London and the UK.
Iniva’s Commissions and Exhibitions Fund
A new initiative established by Iniva as part of its work in supporting emerging artists from across the globe. Due to their location, culture or environment, many exciting artists do not always have the opportunity to challenge and discuss the world through their work. This new initiative aims to offer creative freedom, curatorial support and profile so they can take their careers to the next level. Iniva will identify and collaborate with emerging artists each year, commissioning and presenting work in order to bring important new artists to a wider public internationally.
About Iniva
Iniva is a centre for global art and artists. Focusing upon artistic practice, we explore key issues in society and politics through exhibitions, educational projects, digital initiatives, research and publishing. We offer a space for artistic experiment, cultural debate and the exchange of ideas, reflecting the diversity of contemporary society. www.iniva.org
Press information:
Please contact Sheena Balkwill: sbalkwill [at] iniva.org / T +44 (0) 207 749 1246
