Typography of War Study, 2020
This project is inspired from Doris Saceldo’s chair installation at the 8th Istanbul Biennale 2003. Salcedo's idea was to create a ‘topography of war’--not tied to a specific historical event, but to war in general. ‘Chaos and Absence’ - two effects of wartime violence - here have been re-studied in this project.
“ The experience is not delivered with an actual form, as 'to give a form' is an act of power. Art & communication is not a process of power exchange, but to 'take your way' into it - lead you to go on a journey, reflect back to the war, and the chaos that people have been suffered. "
- Doris Salcedo
Doris Salcedo, Installation at 8th International Istanbul Biennial, 2003.
With the continual waves of information, image and videos riding past me each day, I’ve come to appreciate the rare, found gems that drag me out of those virtual crowds and back in art exploration and creativity. Last week it was the above photograph of wooden chairs piled between two buildings that caught my eyes.
Seeing these 1,550 wooden chairs piled high between two buildings in central Istanbul, I'm reminded of the mass graves. Of anonymous victims. I think of both ‘Chaos and Absence’, two effects of wartime violence, which exist as two emotional states following through their whole lifetime.
Having an idea of re-presenting the 'Mass' by graphics. I re-composed the anonymous victim's life into three phases: Shadow / Presence / Absence, try to pitch on their living state, emotional state and ending scene from the flowing life.
PHASE 1 - LIVING STATE
PHASE 2 - INTERNAL CONFLICT: FOLLOWED BY CHAOS
PHASE 3 - LEFT IN ABSENCE
- to anonymous victims -
Coming from a forceful migration.
Living under the shadow of sun,
passing busy town like invisible ghost drift by.
We’re all son of Gaia,
yet our presence followed by chaos, left in absence.
Violence happened in the dark,
we shout in silence.
Acting obedient is our living skill,
say hi to worm-eaten apples if you’re a friend.
Eventually everyone would pass on,
see you in few decades or hundreds I’ll be there.
Good days, good bye,
the answer will all be found in the mass grave.
/ Instagram: @Coalswork /
