What are you currently working on—and what do you find particularly stimulating or challenging about it?
I am working on the ›Cemetery of the Nameless‹ in my hometown of Wan, Turkey, where refugees and Kurds are buried without names, only numbers. With war and militarism intensifying in the present day, and the resulting mass deaths, I believe it is crucial to discuss the right to have a grave and the right to mourn.
Do you have a daily ritual that gives you structure or inspiration?
I don’t have a specific daily ritual, but reading or walking alone always provides me with inspiration.
What kind of music do you listen to when you want to focus or reconnect with your creative process?
I listen to music from the geographical and historical context. Music that connects the political situation with emotional expression and the aesthetics of resistance.
Has there been a book that fundamentally changed your perspective—and why would you recommend it?
›Ölüm Terbiyesi‹ (2018) by Zeynep Sayın and ›The Force of Nonviolence‹ (2020) by Judith Butler have fundamentally shaped my understanding of the politics of death and the body, as well as state violence—particularly through the act of leaving people without graves and the possibility of mourning. I would recommend these books for their deep insights into the intersection of power, death, and human rights.
Is there a work of art you would love to have in your home?
I would like to have old recordings of Kurdish dengbej musicians.
Which exhibition venue in Berlin inspires you?
KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Gropius Bau and Spore Initiative.
Is there an object that accompanies you and reflects a part of your identity?
Bird shaped objects and jewelry.
What keeps you going, even in moments of doubt?
Working, making films.
Which personality would you like to have a conversation with—and what would you talk about?
With Yanis Varoufakis about Germany and Europe.
What do you look forward to when your working day comes to an end?
I like to have long walks when I finish my daily work.