Ekin Bernay
Heart
Performance
Curator: Simge Burhanoğlu
In collaboration Siyah Beyaz and Performistanbul.
With the Sirmersan and BİL’s support.
Siyah Beyaz Maslak, 2022

A selection from the past, looking at you. It’s kind of like an invitation to remnants of Ekin’s previous performances and to take back what’s left from the heart and commemorate them with the heart in some ways. Objects of experience that have been converted, transformed and used by living them, go on a journey again. The main desire; to share, to make it a part of your life, to deliver it to you. Emphasizing both the sameness and the uniqueness of the heart that is in all of us, with a plain, simple and fundamental approach. To feel that we are part of the whole, to allow the parts to integrate.

While hearts are gathering here, and these hearts are coming together, I wish to share some excerpts from Ekin’s writing to me during the exhibition preparation process, by trying to write a text with a clear heart, to deliver what is for you, and to build a bridge between the past and the present, the present and the future, as the exhibition aims;

“Isn’t heart a perfect name for the exhibition? Let’s call the whole exhibition Heart. And use ‘whats left of the heart’ in the text. How different are gönül (heart) and kalp(heart). Someone came over and sang to me looking into my eyes saying “dont be fooled heart ,dont fall heart”. I cried watching you today. Should I be worried? I have to find a branch on the way. The poster will be my mums heart, an image of her heart. When something makes me feel good, I want everyone to feel it too. Should I start the performance with the neighbours in the car warehouse area? I am waiting for my toastie then I’ll leave. Sand is time. I should do whatever I feel like doing, I will talk if I feel like it. I do love you. I kiss the heart that is inside you”.