Mesopotamian Dramaturgies by Kutlug Ataman Brighton Festival 2011

About

Lighthouse are delighted to be working with Brighton Festival on their presentation of a major exhibition by acclaimed Turkish artist and filmmaker, Kutlug Ataman. The centrepiece is the premiere of Mayhem, a new work commissioned by Brighton Festival. The installation will animate the atmospheric disused space of Brighton's Old Municipal Market and will be presented alongside two versions of Su, two major recent works which will be shown in the UK for the first time. Inspired by guest director Aung San Suu Kyi, the Festival celebrates themes of freedom of expression, liberty and the power of the individual voice in society. These new works by Ataman ask us to consider the man-made construction of contemporary geography and history through meditating on the symbolism and meaning of naturally occurring water. Ataman himself has been the subject of oppression in his own country and passionately believes in the need for democracy and freedom of expression in Turkey and in the wider Middle East. Ataman says: “This exhibition is important to me as the world is becoming increasingly confrontational and violent. Political and environmental tensions seem now to have entered a growth curve that is exponential. These works are in direct response to the world we live in from the region I inhabit, speaking not only locally but also conversing with The Other: the so-called ‘West'. The exhibition takes place at; The Old Municipal Market, Circus Street, Brighton, BN2 9QF Mayhem is commissioned by Brighton Festival With thanks to Brighton & Hove City Council and University of Brighton