Hollow and Broken—A State of the World
April 20–November 24, 2024
The Türkiye Pavilion presents Hollow and Broken: A State of the World, a site-specific installation by Gülsün Karamustafa, one of Türkiye’s most influential and outspoken artists, at the Venice Biennale. Situated in the Arsenale’s historic Sale d’Armi, Karamustafa’s installation invites viewers to consider the tragic and tumultuous realities of a world impacted by wars, earthquakes, migration and nuclear peril. Comprising an interconnection of sculptural works that champion her use of disparate materials, the premiere of a new film, and a sound installation, these works reflect her perception of the world as broken and empty.
Space plays a central role in the exhibition, with Karamustafa drawing inspiration from the rectangular shape of the Sale d’Armi, reminiscent of the dimensions of the historical Hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul, and the building’s former history, reinforcing her connection with the surroundings.
Upon entering the Pavilion, visitors encounter three striking chandeliers suspended from above, crafted from discarded Venetian glass, each representing a monotheistic faith: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. These luminous symbolic objects are shrouded in a web of barbed wire – conveying the historic tensions and quarrels between each religion and serving as a lens through which she explores the state of our world today. Hollow, plastic moulds that resemble concrete columns are scattered throughout the space, the choice of materials starkly contrasting the traditional associations to glory, artillery and power. Shattered Venetian glass emerges as a recurring motif within the installation as a material that resonates deeply with Karamustafa’s feelings. Situated within the pavilion are four dismantled wheeled carts – with their ends cut off on either side – loaded with discarded remnants of Murano glass shards, evoking the transportation of heavy cargo. These works establish a direct link to the historical significance of the Sale d'Armi, once Venice’s largest production centre during the pre-industrial era and a potent symbol of military power. The project also includes a new film by the artist, comprising black and white images from found propaganda footage depicting migration, war, and demonstrations from around the globe.
The publication that complements the exhibition is edited by Melis Cankara with graphic design by Esen Karol. Contributors include: Ezgi Alkan, Ersin Altın, Sevince Bayrak, Melis Cankara, Hasan Cem Çal, Alev Erkmen, Furkan Keçeli, Gökhan Kodalak, Aren Kurtgözü, Emre Özgüder, Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui, İpek Yürekli. Co-published by İKSV and Mousse Publishing, the publication is available through La Biennale bookstores, the Mousse website, and Mousse distributors with the opening of the biennale.
The project team of Hollow and Broken: A State of the World consists of Yelta Köm, the design consultant of the exhibition, Furkan Keçeli, the sound design consultant of the exhibition, and Erinç Tepetaş, the lighting design consultant of the exhibition.
The Türkiye Pavilion exhibition is commissioned by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) with the contribution of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, with the global partnership and airline partnership of Turkish Airlines and with the production and publication support of SAHA Association. The Türkiye Pavilion has taken part in the International Art and Architecture Exhibitions of La Biennale di Venezia since 2014, thanks to the acquisition of the permanent venue at Sale d’Armi, Arsenale on the initiation of İKSV and with the support of 21 sponsors.
High-resolution images: iksvphoto.com/album/ztrazw
International media enquiries: Benji Prescott (Scott & Co), benji@scott-andco.com / T 020 3487 0077 (UK office)
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