In the Heart of Mardin: Ali Akay, Breath, Biennial and Concepts

In this exclusive documentary, we delve deep into the heart of Mardin for a couple of days with Ali Akay, curator of the 6th Mardin Biennial. Through his insightful guidance, we explore the profound layers of meaning embedded within the biennial’s theme, Daha Uzaklara (Further Away). But this exploration goes beyond the art itself; it touches on the historical, cultural, and philosophical connections between the city, its people, and the forces that shape our world.

Mardin, with its rich history and vibrant streets, becomes more than just a setting for the biennial it participates in the narrative. Akay reflects on the Mesopotamian Plain, a region once covered by water, now shaped by winds and history. The wind itself becomes a key metaphor in Akay’s reflections, particularly when discussing the concept of nefes (breath) and nefs (self). He explains how, much like the winds that blow through the plains, the artworks in the biennial are in constant motion, interwoven and interacting with one another in a delicate balance of energy and meaning. The art and the city are linked in a symbiotic relationship, each influencing and transforming the other in a flow of interconnectedness.

Throughout our visit, we engage Akay in a deep dialogue, exploring essential philosophical concepts such as memory, time, identity, space, freedom, belonging, borders, migration, metaphysics, spirituality, aesthetics and so on. These discussions transcend the biennial itself, offering a broader understanding of the human experience and the forces that shape our lives. Akay’s expertise, drawn from his academic background and curatorial practice, brings a unique perspective to these abstract ideas.

This documentary also serves as an important archival piece, capturing a moment where art, place, and thought converge. It’s an intimate invitation into a dialogue that spans both local heritage and global discourse, inviting viewers to reflect on the role of art as a catalyst for social transformation.

The biennial featured works by the following artists: Ahmet Öğüt, Ali Kazma, Allan Sekula, Aslı Çavuşoğlu, Ayşe Erkmen, Bouchra Khalili, Brice Dellsperger, Bruno Serralongue, Büke Uras, Cevdet Erek, Claire Fontaine, Claude Closky, Erik Bullot, Esma Ertel, Murat Ertel, Güçlü Öztekin, Güneş Terkol, İnci Eviner, İnci Furni, İrem Günaydın, Laurent Grasso, Le Peuple Qui Manque, Liam Gillick, Michele Ciacciofera, Mika Rottenberg, Nasan Tur, Nil Yalter, Özlem Altın, Rafael Lain – Angela Detanico, M/M, Sarkis, Serkan Özkaya, Seza Paker, Ugo Rondinone, Thierry Kuntzel, Ulay (Frank Uwe Laysiepen), Victor Burgin, Yıldız Moran, Yüksel Arslan.

The film is part of a larger archival project. For those interested, an earlier documentary with Akay (also featured in the biennial), which explores the conceptual framework of the biennial, is also available on our channel, offering further insight.