Public Sleepers

Full description

'Dokumak' (meaning weave inTurkish) was a research residency and exhibition developed from an Art in Public Space international program. Seventeen artist/researchers travelled together to Sile, Istanbul where they were hosted by partnering group Sile Municipal Council to develop a series of art in public space projects that responds to the surrounds of Sile. Sile is known as a resort area of Istanbul and is generally busy during the peak summer season. The project occurred in the September in the low season of the tourism economy.

During this research trip I collaborated with artist/researcher Shao Xiongchia. Our work entitled 'Public Sleepers' developed as a response to being unusual as Australians of Chinese descent in the Turkish environment. The body of work developed explored the displacement of typically Chinese public personal habits in the new environment of Sile, Istanbul. The work comprised a video work followed by images of the artists publicly sleeping in various sites.

The outcomes of 'Dokumak' was an exhibition that occurred throughout the town centre and was developed in partnership with Sile Municipal Council.

New knowledge that was bought to this project was an exploration of how cross cultural exchanges through a dialogue in public art practices can impact upon the landscape of small town relying on seasonal tourism. Our project dealt specifically with the migration of habits that have occurred through the increased globalisation and how particular behaviours are displaced through the process of migration.