Tandem-residencies in Tarabya: nightlife as resistance
How does nightlife in Istanbul becomes an expression of identity and solidarity? In an interview, Yelta Köm and Ulya Soley reflect on their time as Tarabya fellows: from artistic research and publications to the “Sound Kitchen”. Find out what they experienced and how to apply for the fellowship.
Project description
Tarabya Cultural Academy
Project description
Tarabya Cultural Academy
Interview
Get to know Yelta Köm and Ulya Soley, the most recent participants of the tandem-residencies in the Tarabya Cultural Academy in Istanbul.
This year, you became Tarabya Fellows. How have you been, and how was the year?
"We were Tarabya Fellows between February and May 2024. We have been working together on the topic of nightlife as resistance and experience of the night itself; the residency became a platform where we were able to deepen our research. We created an extensive piece, which was published in CTM Magazine, and we managed to write more on the subject for the online platform Manifold.
Our research is still going on, but it’s clear that Istanbul’s nightlife has been functioning as a form of resistance for the queer community, especially in the face of political shifts and the oppressive climate of the past 20 years. The night sustains the living as well as the strength to express identities. The resilient nature of queer musicians, performers, and operators of nightlife has been inspiring in terms of solidarity for many others working in different fields. Over the last 20 years, Turkey's socio-political changes have affected every field, and while spaces for freedom of expression or breathing have gradually diminished, nightlife has somehow managed to continue. No matter what happens, nightlife in Istanbul goes on, and the queer community remains just as diverse. Even when clubs open and close, or when there are big problems like economic or political crises, nightlife always finds a way to keep going.
To conclude the residency, a one-day event in collaboration with the initiative Queerwaves was organized as part of Sommerfest, titled “Sound Kitchen.” Held in the former kitchen of the Tarabya residency, the event featured resident DJs from Queerwaves who played various sets in a space transformed into a cozy and safe environment, featuring video works by Yelta."
And how was it in Tarabya itself, in the midst of the metropolis of Istanbul, during these eventful times? What makes the space special?
“Because it is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Tarabya allowed us to concentrate on our project. Although we were looking at the nightlife happening right at the center of the city, it was important to have a base where we were able to take a step back and evaluate. The forest which encompasses the residency buildings offered a great environment to clear our minds. It was such a relief to be next to the Bosphorus. With the Tarabya Tuesday meetings, we were able to update each other with the other residents and meet other cultural practitioners who joined us to give talks. Those were also great opportunities during the residency. Also, we had the chance to delve deeper into the research and experience Istanbul‘s night life as well.”
“No matter what happens, nightlife in Istanbul goes on, and the queer community remains just as diverse.”
Were there particular challenges in the collaboration? Or particular revelations?
“Since one of us lived in Berlin and the other in Istanbul, our collaboration had depended mostly on our sessions on Google Docs. The residency brought us together in person, which created a different dynamic. We were able to progress much faster, and it opened up the possibilities of working on a physical event. Maybe the challenging part was deciding together on the direction our research was taking. We had been reading and discussing similar materials but when it came to writing together, it took time to adjust to one another’s approach. Along the way, we found better ways to work together on research or a piece of writing. Sharing the same place physically was crucial to push the ideas forward.”
And how are you moving forward?
“Regarding our project, we aim to convey our research through an online platform and a spatial installation, which would evolve over time with the contributions of more people. It is not so easy to translate the experience of the night to a form of artwork, but we believe there is potential for artistic interventions and further research as well. Individually, Yelta is returning to his position at Bauhaus University in Weimar, he is continuing his independent practice as an artist and collaborating with various groups and collectives. Ulya is heading on in her role as curator at Pera Museum and currently working on her next group exhibition project.”
About
Yelta Köm
Yelta Köm integrates architectural, artistic, and spatial practices to address social and political issues. His work is inspired by environmental perception, urban imagery, neoliberal transformations, tensions between nature and technology, collective movements, and migration. Collaboration is key, using various methods and materials. Köm studied at Yıldız Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture and Städelschule, Frankfurt. He co-founded Herkes İçin Mimarlık, a nonprofit organization addressing social issues architecturally. His works have been exhibited at biennials, museums, and art institutions globally, including the Istanbul Biennale, Istanbul Design Biennale, Venice Architecture Biennale, and others. Köm also lectures at institutions like the German Architecture Museum in Frankfurt and HKW in Berlin. He lives in Berlin.
Ulya Soley
Ulya Soley is a curator and editor at Pera Museum, Istanbul. She has a Master’s in Culture, Criticism, and Curating from Central Saint Martins College – University of the Arts London, and a Bachelor’s in Art History and Psychology from McGill University, Montreal. Recent projects include ‘Souvenirs of the Future’ and ‘A Question of Taste’ at Pera Museum, ‘all familiar, all foreign’ at Versus Art Project, and ‘How shall we dress for the occasion?’ at 601 Artspace, New York. Soley has contributed to various art publications, including texts for Texte zur Kunst, Art Agenda, and Manifold.
Tarabya: the historic summer residence
The historic summer residence of the German ambassador is located in the former spa town of Tarabya, now part of the metropolis of Istanbul. The property was a gift from the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1842-1918). In 1880 he gave it to the German Empire for diplomatic use. The property therefore still has the status of an embassy grounds to this day. In the front part there are ten buildings, mainly in the style of Turkish summer houses (yali), and the German military cemetery. The Cultural Academy occupies the former embassy chancellery, where there are five artist apartments. Two more artist apartments and studios were built in the former coach house. More information.
