Bitter Medicine Online Conversations

Performative Spectatorship, Oxymoron Aesthetic of :mentalKLINIK, Taking a Third Position

16 December 2020 Wed

Speakers: Ayşe Draz, İstanbul; Naz Cuguoğlu, San Francisco

This talk will focus on the performative nature of the exhibition BITTER MEDICINE #02, shaped by Draz, who has been following the works of the duo :mentalKLINIK closely and independent curator and art writer. :mentalKLINIK’s interpretation of the digital aesthetic is shaped by idiosyncratic definitions as their unique visuality has prioritized trans-disciplinary collaborations since their founding. This quality has transformed a different kind of performative experimentation and shifted the paradigms of the process of artistic production. The talk will focus on these qualities, underscoring the kind of stage that BITTER MEDICINE #02 is. 

Ayşe Draz
Ayşe Draz, co-founder of Theatre Hemhâl and exploring the field of performance with her research and artistic work, is an Istanbul-based performer, dramaturg, and director who produces theatrical and performative works independently as well as with Theatre Hemhâl. She is also the performing arts editor of the magazine, Art Unlimited.

Naz Cuguoğlu
is a curator and art writer, based in San Francisco and Istanbul. She is the co-founder of Collective Çukurcuma. She held various positions at KADIST, The Wattis Institute, de Young Museum, SFMOMA Public Knowledge, Joan Mitchell Foundation, Zilberman Gallery, Maumau Art Residency, and Mixer. Her writings have been featured in SFMOMA Open Space, Art Asia Pacific, Hyperallergic, Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art, M-est.org, and elsewhere. She received her BA in Psychology and MA in Social Psychology, both from Koç University, and another MA from California College of the Arts’ Curatorial Practice program. She has curated exhibitions internationally, at institutions such as the Wattis Institute (San Francisco), 15th Istanbul Biennial Public Program, Framer Framed (Amsterdam), Kunstraum Leipzig, Red Bull Art Around Istanbul, 5533 among many others. She co-edited three books: After Alexandria, the Flood (2015); Between Places (2016); and The Word for World is Forest (2020).

Share on