Gökçen Dilek Acay

TRA-TRAVEL | Osaka, Japan

SAHA provides support for Gökçen Dilek Acay’s project in TRA-TRAVEL. Curated by Qenji yoshida, More Than Human is a solo exhibition by Turkish artist Gökcen Dilek Acay that presents the results of her Artist in Residence in Osaka, Japan. During her residency, Acay not only studied Japanese handicrafts such as kintsugi, kinran (gold brocade) and indigo dyeing, but also attempted to reinterpret these techniques on her own. The artist's unique interpretation of these techniques is further interwoven with the ancient and modern techniques she has acquired over the years, offering us new perspectives both visually and technically. In More Than Human, where two worlds - the imaginary and the real - coexist, fictional and non-fictional characters appear with an alternative take on today's political and social situation. Like a childhood picture diary, the playfulness inherent in the body of work seems to offer us an alternative way of being in the world, imaginatively/creatively reconciling the horrific events taking place today.

Gökçen Dilek Acay (1983, İstanbul)

Gökçen Dilek Acay is a musician and conceptual artist born in Istanbul. She studied music, majoring in violin at Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, followed by master’s of Fine Arts at Bauhaus University Weimar. Her works in collaboration with dancers, musicians, and visual artists were exhibited in solo exhibitions around Europe and the USA and in several group exhibitions. She was Gala Artist and Performer at Watermill Center Benefit 2013, curated by Robert Wilson. She works as an independent artist through AIR Programs and independent projects in different countries.

About TRA-TRAVEL

TRA-TRAVEL is a private organization/art hub in Osaka, Japan that was established by the support of Chishima Art foundation in order to connect Osaka’s art scene to a global platform. They are a collective of active artists, designers, and translators. They cooperate with other organizations in Asia such as Kyoto Art Center (Japan), Art center Silpakorn University (Thailand), load na dito (the Philippines), Critical Dialogues Art Space (India) and so on. They curate exhibitions, and make artist talks and artist-in-residency programs, mainly inviting artists outside Japan with the help of other organizations.