by Heidi Trautmann

To explain the background thoughts of the LINE Project I simply give here the introduction text by the curator Başak Şenova which will be followed by my own comments:

Art Rooms Kyrenia launches the second part of the LINE project. Curated by Başak Şenova, the project consists of exhibitions, talks, performances and a book launch. 

The project gathers works, research and ideas that accentuate the substance of correspondingly prevailing lines that constantly overwrite each other. As the curatorial statement of the project indicates, “the fine line between ‘the self’ and its surroundings has always been penetrated from both sides. Yet this line determines the position and identity of the self. The things ‘the self’ desires to sink into oblivion are pushed to the other side of this line. Therefore, this very line also functions as a tool for unresponsiveness and blindness.”

The first exhibition, which took place in March 2015 at Art Rooms, presented projects, research and works consisting of installations, drawings, video works, paintings and photographs by Ali Cherri, Almagul Menlibayeva, Benji Boyadgian, Ceren Oykut, Maria Loizidou, and Oya Silbery. 

In the same vein, the second exhibition adds Henrik Lund Jørgense, Fatma Bucak, Ibro Hasanović, Hera Büyüktaşçıyan, Emre Ekinci, Christina Georgiou and Oya Akın to the project. 

There will be a talk with the curator and the artists of the LINE project prior to the opening of the second exhibition. The project will be concluded with a book launch at the gallery space on the last day of the exhibition. 

As the outcome of Art Rooms Kyrenia’s different collaborations or with other institutions, the exhibitions of the LINE project will travel to different venues and geographies, starting in 2016 with the Museum of Fine Arts (Galerija Umjetnina)in Split, Croatia. 

In March 2015, after the opening of the first phase of the project, I wrote my toughts down in the following link: http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=5831681363#.VhtjBeyqpBd

In the second phase six artists from different geographies make their artistic statements about the position of the Self in its surroundings. Statements to disturbing events in the world are always based on one’s own background experiences. People growing up in mountainous areas will respond differently to a situation than people who grow up by the sea, this just to give an example; thus their eyes and mind will pick up individual situations with a different angle of view. 

In the second phase were mainly shortfilms and photo series on human, political and social situations such as the walk of two women on either side of the dividing wall in Nicosia ‘Voicing the Line’ by Christina Georgiou in collaboration with Oya Akin. Here it is not alone the images of the two women walking and not seeing each other but their voices that call out to each other ‘it is enough’.

The project ‘Four Walls’ by Emre Akinci is describing the current status of a derelict building that witnessed the war in Cyprus.

The refugees situation in Europe was the project by Henrik Lund Joergense ‘Friends he lost at sea’ using paintings by the Danish painter Michael Ancher as a reference for his video.

Fatma Bucak’s short film comments on cultural differences with respect to generations, gender, religious patterns using the example of Turkish and Armenian border life.

A film shot in the Yugoslav Navy training ship Galeb – the Ghosts of Galeb – that went through different hands, first as Tito’s yacht,  until it became a tourist attraction.

Finally a documentation in a series of drawings by Hera Büyüktaşçıyan  on the submarıne telegraph cables, a line for the flow of information, a history brought to light ....or rather to paper.

The LINE projects of the second phase need explaining to the viewer, the text is attached to the wall, and one must read it first before watching the short films or following the series of photos. They must be understood as comments to a situation, as an artistic conclusion.

I would like to say some words on the ArtRooms Gallery itself: It always is a pleasure to come to the art events organised by Oya Silbery; each event gets its own framework, the walls and the rooms become part of an exhibition by adapting them to the artistic statement of the works on display. It is an aesthetic pleasure to walk around the gallery rooms which absolutely meet international standards. Well done Oya. Also the catalagues are carefully designed and a pleasure to have.  As it is said above, this exhibition’s book launch will be on the last day of the exhibition.