22 May 2014

Özlem Günyol & Mustafa Kunt at the Dortmunder Kunstverein

THE EXHIBITION

In occasion of the first exhibition at the new premises of the DORTMUNDER KUNSTVEREIN at the Dortmunder U, Özlem Günyol and Mustafa Kunt were invited to show a compendium of their works. Parts of this presentation are two new works, specifically designed and purpose-built for this particular exposition. One of which will be on view in the new premises, the other one was manufactured in a smelting works in Ennepetal, DE, and will be displayed in the vicinity of the Dortmunder U. In cooperation with Kettler publishers, a catalogue will be released, which, for the first time, provides a thorough overview of the artists' works.
In their works, Özlem Günyol and Mustafa Kunt mainly deal with cultural and social phenomena. In order to indicate cultural and social relations as encoded constructs, historical events are likewise to be used for their performative, installed, and documentary works as are political issues. For the first exhibition at the new location of the Dortmunder Kunstverein the work 'Hemzemin' is implemented outside of the facilities.
Özlem Günyol (born 1977) and Mustafa Kunt (born 1978) studied at Hacettepe University in Ankara, TR at the Sculpture Department and at the Städelschule in Frankfurt, GER, where they currently work and live.


PRODUCTION OF NEW WORKS

New works are specifically designed and realized for the exhibition at the Dortmunder Kunstverein. The work 'Hemzemin' tries to establish the physical connection between the human body and a flagpole. A flagpole bears the concept of membership of a nation. As a consequence it therefore illustrates national, international, or cultural identity. A flagpole presides over his environment with his vertical height, opposed to the human body. His purpose is to amplify the represented image by moving it to an inaccessible location. 'Hemzemin' overcomes the physical concern between the human body and the flagpole by conveying the latter to the ground. The flagpole was ordered at alfa GmbH and melted down into a surface of 1.5 by 1.5 m at the smelting works Schmolz+Bickenbach in Ennepetal, DE. The manufacturing process was recorded on video.


ACCOMPANYING PROGRAM

Wednesday, May 21st, 6.00 pm: Work in Progress for members and sponsors of the Dortmunder Kunstverein in the presence of the artists

Friday, May 23rd, 7.00 pm: exhibition opening reception by Marion Edelhoff (chairwoman), welcoming speech by Jörg Stüdemann (city councillor in charge of cultural affairs), introduction by Sandra Dichtl (curatorial director)

Saturday, May 31st, 3.00 pm: guided tour through the exhibition

Saturday, June 26th, 3.00 pm: guided tour through the exhibition

Wednesday, June 4th, 6.00 pm: table talk on the topic of 'politically committed art' with the artists and curators

Sunday, July 6th: presentation of the catalogue and summersounds with music by DJ Ipek & Guest


THE ARTISTS

Özlem Günyol (born 1977) and Mustafa Kunt (born 1978) both studied at the Hacettepe University in Ankara, TR, until they started their studies at the Städelschule, which they completed in 2006, respectively in 2008. Their works have already been on display in several solo and group exhibitions (including 'suspicious activities' in Cuchifritos, NY (2011), 'UP!UP!UP!' in the Temple Bar Gallery & Studios in Dublin, IE (2011), 'Untitled' at the 12th international Istanbul Biennial (2011), at the 'Heimatkunde' exhibition in the Jewish Museum in Berlin, GER (2011), and at the ISTANBUL EINDHOVEN-SALTVANABBE POST '89, SALT Istanbul, TR (2012), and 'Lines of Thought' at Parasol Unit, London, GBR (2012). Additionally they were awarded various awards and scholarships,( e.g. the Ars-Viva award of German economy in 2012), residencies at Künstlerhaus Schloss Balmoral, New York-Grant in New York and the Temple Bar Gallery and art studios in Dublin, IE.