In İzmir, one of the most important ports of the the Eastern Mediterranean, on the the West coast of Turkey, and a city with deep Greek roots, rich cultural legacy and a history of 8,500 years, İzmir Mediterranean Biennial was hosted for the first time by the Metropolitan Municipality of İzmir, in collaboration with K2 Contemporary Art Center.

The goal of this art event is to create a platform open to innovative ideas and propositions in the field of art, addressed to young artists, aged up to 35 years old. Our country was represented by artist Stratis Tavlaridis through his work “Waves”, taking part in the central
exhibition “Looking at the same water”, showcased at the Kültürpark Atlas Pavilion.

The viewers, upon entering into the installation venue, find themselves face to face with the Tavlaridis’ perforated large-scale work, made of hand-crafted pieces of paper, cut with a surgical scalpel. Wearing the MP3 player earphones from the 90s, placed right next to the work, the visitors can isolate themselves from the external noises and wander around a new audio landscape, made of different FM sounds, as a new Mediterranean melody.

Laying down the concept behind the installation, he explains that he drew inspiration for “Waves” from the story of a child in Greece, who had suffered domestic abuse. Trying to create a world barricaded against harsh reality, he invented an imaginary wall of protection, covering his ears with earphones and seeking within the radio frequencies the dream that would lead to a new and safe place.

Given its geographical position in the region, İzmir Mediterranean Biennial brings forth the question of the shared sea, also touching upon the refugee issue. “While traveling in the Aegean Sea and listening to music, I noticed that the radio waves frequencies create a sound mixture of melodies, news, commercials and parasites. Through “Waves” I strive to awaken the viewers and urge them to put themselves in the shoes of every child forced by state policies and power games to become a refugee, looking for a new home and a better life inside a boat in the Mediterranean waters,” mentions the artist.