2024 | artist list
As part of Zero Movement, the RE*MIND Art Research Presentation took place between September 23 – October 17, exploring the concepts of situatedness, transthinking, and emergence. Focusing on Bozcaada’s geography, the program hosted 14 guest artists and 9 host artists, each showcasing works related to the island’s landscape, history, and cultural heritage.
The RE*MIND concept focuses on the process of remembering and rethinking, serving as the core idea of these artistic explorations. Etimologically, “remind” means to bring back to mind or evoke, but conceptually, RE*MIND signifies more than just memory—it embodies the natural emergence of landscapes, the revival of past experiences, and the reinterpretation of historical elements in a contemporary context.
By reconnecting artists and audiences with Bozcaada’s history, cultural heritage, and natural identity, RE*MIND enables these elements to resurface through artistic expression. It encourages the rediscovery of memory, geography, and identity, offering new perspectives on the past, present, and future.
Ada Koloğlu
Ali Johannes Ülker
Barış Muratoğlu
Bozcamemes
Bülent Ergün Erol
Büşra Aydagün
Dilara Selçuk Koloğlu
Esin Avcı Aykanat
Esra Kara
Gizem Renklidağ
Gülseren Cizdan
Güven Çetinkaya
Nihan Bostancıoğlu
Rüçhan Eylül Ercan
Saye Özçelik
Selçuk Demirci
Umut Kambak
Ülker Aral
Vuslat Kocaman
Ada Koloğlu
Video 5’45’’
“Blow It Up, Eat It Yourself”
Ali Johannes Ülker
Linolyum Baskı
“Die Rabauken“
What is needed to break free from all rules, forms, and limitations?
The freedom of foolishness.
To move freely,
To access all the hidden treasures patiently waiting within us,
To dive from the cycle into entirely new perspectives?
“Rabauke”
Off-track.
Unconventional.
Misfit.
Slightly eccentric.
Full of love.
Childishly in awe of the world.
What if we made space
for these parts of ourselves—
the ones we miss and yet keep hidden?
Barış Muratoğlu
Sculpture
Found Objects
“37.6”
Bozcamemes
Photo Print
“Traditional Famous 100% Island Memes”
An Instagram humor page, known for its absurd and satirical takes on events in Bozcaada’s town center and the disappearing island culture, has been followed by island lovers of all ages since 2020. Operating non-commercially, it aims to raise awareness on social issues through humor.
By addressing various topics with a comedic approach, the page not only entertains but also creates an open space for discussion, even on subjects that people might be hesitant to talk about.
This mission aligns closely with the vision of the artist collective, as both share a common foundation of values. With the belief that humor is also a form of art that can highlight social issues, the platform stands alongside the artist collective on this journey—hoping for a future where comedy and art continue to inspire positive change.
Bülent Ergün Erol
Sculpture
Found Wooden Objects
“Time Gate”
Let me tell you about an island that has convinced time to freeze or slow down.
On this small piece of land, there are traces of ancient cultures far greater than its size. Alongside these cultures, we must also remember the signatures left by historical figures. Given this rich past, legends and myths elevate Bozcaada’s history to another level. Even today, the island remains a magnetic force, a host that continuously forms its own doors within the infinite cycle of time.
So, we must ask: Could time, which embraces infinity, be hidden somewhere?
After all, if you want to hide something, the best place to put it is right in plain sight.
So why not build a door of our own?
A Time Gate, where history, legends, and myths accumulate, multiply, and transform.
A threshold to greet the lands where the past and the future merge.
And now, we stand before that door.
It opens to wherever you wish to go.
Büşra Aydagün
Video 3’16’’
“Read When the Wind Blow”
Dilara Selçuk Koloğlu
Scupture
“Unnamed”
Undoubtedly, in the memory of the ISLAND, harbors have served as doors, while piers have acted as thresholds, establishing connections between the outside world and these land masses surrounded by water. For islanders, piers are places of departure and return, of escapes, forced or chosen farewells, and of the inevitable transitions that define island life.
To be “AN ISLANDER” is to embrace nothingness, initiating a personal negotiation between oneself, the surroundings, and the vast emptiness beyond.
In this work, the figure, trapped in the doorway, incorporates the surrounding space, greeting passing ships. The white handkerchief held in the figure’s hand is not only a reference to surrender but also an allusion to the now-forgotten tradition of waving farewell, once a familiar ritual of parting.
Esin Avcı Aykanat
Installation
Decellularized grape leaves, dead branches
Video, 3’07”
“Cutting Ties or Reconnecting”
Bozcaada is home not only to its lush, thriving vineyards but also to the many abandoned fields that locals refer to as “ghost vineyards.” A ghost vineyard is more than just an overgrown patch of land—it is a tangible reflection of a weakening bond between people and the soil across generations.
To a newcomer, these fading vineyards may appear withered and forgotten, yet they still push out leaves, continuing their quiet existence. It may be difficult to see them as mere spirits, but listening to their stories reveals something deeper—a connection that extends beyond the vines themselves, reminding one of their own roots.
To abandon a vineyard is, in a sense, to pull up one’s own roots from the soil. But the possibility of return, the thought of revisiting what was once left behind, is akin to rebuilding a connection with the earth—perhaps an ever-open path for reunion.
This work freezes time by taking leaves from a ghost vineyard and stripping them of all living cells, preserving them in a state that, though lifeless, makes them immortal. Maybe this, too, is a romantic response to the longing to pass on a vineyard’s legacy across generations into the future.
Esra Kara
Ceramic
“The Journey of Clay”
The clays I encountered along Bozcaada’s shores and bays became the inspiration for these works. Ayazma White took form in the ceramics I shaped by hand—it became one of Ayazma’s many languages.
I discovered Beylik White, shaped it, fired it, glazed it, and fired it once again. It, too, transformed into a language of its own. I experimented with Ayazma Yellow, Ayana Yellow, and Ayana Red by using them in my canvas paintings, blending them into color compositions. Later, I incorporated these pigments into ceramic works, allowing them to evolve through an experimental process—joining this ever-changing journey.
Everything began with the earth…
Gizem Renklidağ
A Site-Specific Experience Space
Video 5’28’’
“In Its Own Time”
“In Its Own Time” is an art project that makes visible the transformation process of a space. It took place in Bozcaada, within the renovation of a 100-year-old building, capturing its transition through artistic intervention. Beginning with a temporary studio set up within the construction site, the project openly invited viewers to witness the evolution of the exhibition in real-time.
The project explores how a space can acquire new meanings through artistic interventions. One of its central themes is hospitality, reminding us of the grace and care needed in our relationship with spaces. At the entrance, a pair of shoes left behind symbolizes a spiritual step into the space, free from material concerns—reflecting the artist’s reverence for the space while inviting viewers to approach the exhibition with the same sensitivity.
The elements within the exhibition highlight the fragile relationship between nature and humanity. A symbolic well comes to life each time a viewer pours water into it, signifying renewal. On the dusty surfaces of the construction site, colors and textures emerge through the presence of water, offering an immersive experience of human-nature interaction. Other elements in the exhibition address the disappearance of delicate ecosystems, featuring installations about the vanishing of sea daffodils and coral colonies. These works are not merely aesthetic objects but silent reminders of human impact on nature, urging the viewer to contemplate the emptiness left behind by ecological loss.
The artist’s paintings, created using the FISPIS technique, establish a direct connection with the textures of the space, incorporating natural rhythms and patterns into the exhibition. Visitors are also drawn into the space through video works that capture Bozcaada’s colors and sounds, blending them with the artist’s creative process as seen through a window overlooking the street.
“In Its Own Time” is a reflection on Bozcaada’s past, present, and future. The artist’s engagement with the process leaves traces within the transient structure of the space, transforming the construction site into an invitation not only to observe but to contemplate the interplay between nature, space, and art. Every shared moment within the space becomes an integral part of its evolving story.
Gülseren Cizdan
Movement-Based Performance Research Video Documentation 2″58′
“Void Formations”
“Void Formations” is the video documentation of movement research conducted in various locations across Bozcaada as part of the development process of the performance Blank Border. This research explores the interplay between space and potential, engaging in a dialogue with nature and surroundings.
The artist experiments with bundles of reed plants, commonly found throughout the island, using them to reconstruct empty spaces in various forms, challenging the notion of fixed boundaries. Instead, the work establishes a constantly shifting and redefining exploration zone, questioning the relationship between objects, the void they enclose, and their surrounding environment.
How does an object’s presence interact with the space around it? How do definitions of borders and forms transform as the context shifts?
Through the interaction of movement and material, the artist creates a foundation for reimagining voids, offering a space to reconsider how emptiness and form coalesce through dynamic relationships.
Güven Çetinkaya
Sculpture
“Agony”
In the infinite cycle of life, the island of Tenedos (modern-day Bozcaada) has long been a home to many cultures throughout history. With its rich and layered cultural fabric, it continues to exist as a mosaic of traditions and identities.
This island, where Greek and Turkish neighborhoods stand side by side, symbolizes the process of becoming whole through diversity—a representation of coexistence and shared existence.
The nameless king points to cultures through colors, while the lines of rotation signify the continuity of this process. Our moves on the chessboard urge us to reconsider our choices, inviting us to reflect on the decisions we make today and their impact on future generations.
Nihan Bostancıoğlu
Art Print
“Awake and Dream”
The time I have spent within the textures of the island has shaped the foundation of my artistic expression. The way time accumulates in layers has been a source of inspiration, providing a ground that nurtures my search for meaning.
The idea of a “zero point” aligns with my desire to restart during the creative process. The island offers me the urge to rebuild, making the feeling of beginning from zero an integral part of my work.
For me, Bozcaada is a place where everything feels both familiar and ready to be rediscovered. It feels natural to remember that everything starts anew here. The island, in its own cycle, presents us with a fresh beginning each time.
Rüçhan Eylül Ercan
Video
Reverse Side
Inspired by the essence of the island and Umut Kambak’s installation “The Owner of This Vineyard Must Have Died,” this performance is a video project that explores Bozcaada’s fading heritage—its ghost vineyards.
Through movement and visual storytelling, the work reflects on abandonment, memory, and the remnants of once-thriving vineyards, inviting the viewer to contemplate the passage of time and the island’s evolving landscape.
Performans: Rüçhan Eylül Ercan
Video: Umut Kambak
Saye Özçelik
Sculpture
Found Metal and Plastic Objects
“Gt-4935”
Crafted from scrap metal and plastics found along the island’s shores, Gt-4935 was designed as a resilient transporter, capable of functioning in any condition. Built on the monocycle principle, it features a wheel and sail that work together, allowing it to harness the wind for movement over water.
With a simple yet effective mechanism, the synchronized operation of the wheel and sail makes travel across both land and sea effortless.
In the past, transportation between the island and the mainland was often disrupted due to harsh weather conditions. On days when ferries and ships were canceled, a vehicle like this could have provided a practical solution.
Selçuk Demirci
Video 0’48’’
“There is a sound of a new beginning”
This video art piece presents the delicate interaction between nature and human experience, using visuals and words as a means of reflection. Through evocative imagery, the work invites the viewer to pause and contemplate, illustrating how the paths we take ultimately converge at a shared purpose and point of encounter.
At its core, the piece carries a poetic narrative on time, connection, and renewal:
“There is a sound of a new beginning,
A new breath,
Time is woven like a net,
In the songs of birds,
In the whispers of leaves.
When we lift our heads to the sky,
Hope hides in every shadow,
In every circle.
A path,
A story,
An infinity concealed within every moment.
An invisible thread that unites us.
Every beginning is an end,
Every end is a new beginning.”
The piece unfolds like a woven tapestry of fleeting infinities, layering each moment with unseen connections. Recurring symbols such as birds, the sky, and circles reflect the cyclical nature of life and transformation.
This work is a tribute to resilience and togetherness, reminding us that every ending becomes a new beginning, and that all cycles move within the interconnected wheel of existence.
Umut Kambak
Shadow Installation
“The Owner of This Vineyard Must Have Died”
Shaped by the past, memories, and traces, shadows have always followed the historical geography of the island. This installation emerged from the moment we first heard that the abandoned vineyards of Bozcaada were referred to as “ghost vineyards” by the locals.
The act of cultivating the land and producing—the feeling of belonging, of being from a place—was perhaps the greatest gift we had. In Tenedos, this gift was undoubtedly rooted in the vineyards. Yet, now, these lands, abandoned for various reasons, have taken refuge in the silent shadow of a ghost.
Participants, carrying light in their hands, reawaken these shadows, making the island’s forgotten past and traces visible once more. Each beam of light reveals the shadows beyond the vineyards, bringing forth faded stories while simultaneously creating new ones.
Regardless of whether one is from the island or not, everyone who stands in the shadow of these “ghost vineyards” experiences the island’s layered history, uncovering the silent remnants of a past that has been turned away from.
Ülker Aral
Installation
Your Language”
When I was nine years old, during a family trip to Athens, we visited the Savvaidou family, who had once migrated from Bozcaada to Greece. That’s when I met Thea. She had forgotten Turkish, but that day, she wrote a memory in my journal in Greek, and with her mother’s help, she added its Turkish translation beside it.
Thea promised that in our next meeting, she would speak my language. A year later, when she visited Bozcaada, she had learned Turkish and kept her promise.
Inspired by the Lenticular printing principle, this memory is designed with two overlapping surfaces, allowing it to reveal two different texts depending on the viewing angle. In this way, the same memory can be read in both languages, creating a three-dimensional space that reflects both perspectives.
For generations, Bozcaada has been a place where Turks and Greeks worked, created, and shared life together. This work symbolizes the interwoven nature of these two cultures—a reminder of our shared past and the memories we carry forward into the future.
Vuslat Kocaman
Ceramic
“Feast”
This piece merges Bozcaada’s unique and rich flavors with the traditional arts of Çanakkale—ceramics and tile-making. The artwork features blue and white patterns, with the vine leaf motif appearing on the fish’s surface, symbolizing the island’s deep-rooted relationship with nature and gastronomy.
The concept of situatedness plays a central role in this work, as local materials and traditional recipes were used to reflect the true essence of the island.
At its core, the piece embodies the act of remembrance. The memory of the past, much like a map filled with unforgettable experiences, serves as a guide to understanding cultural identity.
More than just an artwork, this piece is a cultural journey, offering new perspectives for the future while inviting the viewer to reflect and explore. It represents a meeting point between two worlds, bridging tradition and modernity in an ever-evolving dialogue.
