MArchives Collection // Iconographic archives database // 2011 - . . .
MArchives Collection // Iconographic archives database // 2011 - . . .
visual and mixed
media artist //
UZUN INCE BIR YOLDAYIM // JE SUIS SUR UN LONG ET ETROIT CHEMIN
crédits vidéo_ Iris Ganz //
This performance is a series of
performances _ new rituals
drafted on my knowledge of ancient rites transmitted by my ancestors.
In the town of Giswil,
in the middle of Switzerland,
at the base of a mountain,
there is a waterfall.
For this performance,
I transmuted this geological stage
into my travelling temple and
its ever-growing foundations.
There, I experimented and executed
my own translations of rituals into new rituals. Each rite reflects a past but evolves within
a new history and symbolism.
As an evolutive piece of my personal mythology, I'm building a sanctuary,
a laboratory for healing rituals,
perhaps a remedy for immortality.
This first rite was the beginning of
the performance, a procession,
a walk towards the next rituals.
First to join the walk was
the artist Murat_Mevlana_Temel.
Transitioning from his performance
and with a bell I gave him [family heirloom]
he shepherded the audience to me.
We then started our walk,
reciting together the poem
Uzun ince bir yoldayım
in Turkish and English while
guiding the audience on the road
to the waterfall, a sanctuary
that became my temple.
Uzun ince bir yoldayım _ I'm on a long narrow road
Âşık Veysel (1984-1973) is one of the most renowned representatives of
the âşık tradition in 20th century Turkiye,
which dates back to the 15th century in Anatolia.
The Âşık is a wandering troubadour, singing poetry of their own composition,
accompanied by the saz, a stringed instrument.
Âşıks became the voice of common people,
expressing their relationship with their land, their loves, inner conflicts, and expectations,
generally depicting all aspects of rural life.
One of the most beloved songs of the entire Turkish folklore canon
is his song Uzun ince bir yoldayım.
In which, Veysel compares the journey of life to a han
[ a long building often using small work areas for various crafts and professions ]
with two doors, a door at each end.
We enter life through one door, travel the length of it, and exit through the far door.
As in all Türkü of this type, Veysel applies the song to himself in the concluding stanza.
It is not an exaggeration to say that most Turks can sing it by heart,
and it has been interpreted by many musicians and singers of all eras.
Def . Türkü [Turkish folk music]
It is a type of song whose lyrics are usually in the form of folk poetry, whose author and composer are unknown.
In folk poetry, written in syllabic meter, usually with a conjunction, the pain, joy, etc,
of the individual or society.
It is a type of rune that is sung with a unique melody.
From Lead to Gold [ Transforming _ Transmuting ]
This next rite was in two parts:
First _
I executed my own version of the ancient rite called Molybdomancy.
I melted lead into a ladle then poured it into a bowl of water.
[ ceramic bowl by artist _Nida Şafak ]
Second _
With family heirlooms used as tools,
I started a make up routine by covering parts of my face with golden leaves on a charcoal based glue.
Then I covered the rest of my visible skin with blue pigment as a preparation for the next rituals.