As part of Ergun’s ESKWELA seminar, this artist talk will navigate through Ergun's filmmaking practice, unearthing representations of communities that are not known to a greater public and the importance of ritual in such groups. Specifically, the talk will be centered around his work with OFW communities in different parts of the world including his 10-year research in the making of Bibinining Promised Land (2010), which is currently on view at BAP Outpost. Ergun will share never before seen footage of works in collaboration with the OFW in Israel and in Turkey, including pageant events in which he participated as host or judge, as well as other research-based, non-film projects with various communities.
Ergun’s preoccupations are based on forms of contemporary rituals and celebrations, religious or secular, through events such as national holidays, beauty contests, world fairs, and the Olympics. Under the topic of Context-Responsive Art Practice, Ergun's seminar is addressed to artists and filmmakers inclined toward the importance and role of archives, engagement in artistic research, and collaboration with ethnographers, historians, and sociologists to constitute the current political situations. This seminar is schedule the following day, on Saturday, May 25 from 2pm to 5pm.
This artist talk is open and free to the public. To sign up for the second day session, please email info@eskwelabap.com. Limited slots available.
Köken Ergun (born 1976, Istanbul) is a Turkish artist working in film and installation. Having studied acting at the İstanbul University, Ergun completed his postgraduate diploma degree in Ancient Greek Literature at King's College London, followed by an MA degree on Art History at the Bilgi University. After working with American theatre director Robert Wilson, Ergun became involved with video and film. His multi-channel video installations have been exhibited internationally at institutions including Garage Moscow, Documenta 14, Paris Triennale, SALT, Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam, Protocinema, KIASMA, Digital ArtLab Tel Aviv, Casino Luxembourg, Para-Site and Kunsthalle Winterthur. His films received several awards at film festivals including the “Tiger Award for Short Film” at the 2007 Rotterdam Film Festival and the “Special Mention Prize” at the 2013 Berlinale. Ergun’s works are included in public collections such as the Centre Pompidou, EMST, Stadtmuseum Berlin and Kadist Foundation.