The Residence (a wager for the afterlife)
by Vermeir & Heiremans
at the 13th Istanbul Biennial
14.09 – 20.10.2013
On the 14th September, this year’s Istanbul Biennial entitled ‘Mom, Am I Barbarian?’ opened its doors. With a proper sense of urgency curator Fulya Erdemci has developed the notion of the public domain as a political forum as the focal point of this edition.
Apart from their newly commissioned lecture-performance Art House Index, which was presented earlier in May in the biennial’s public program, Fulya Erdemci selected Vermeir & Heiremans’ video project The Residence (a wager for the afterlife) for her exhibition program.
In parts evoking the wager in Goethe’s Faust, The Residence narrates the compressed and frenetic plot of Chinese artist and architect Ma Wen. A commission to develop a house for the afterlife of a rich investor positions Ma Wen in the double role of ruthless capitalist and long-haired artist.
venue: Galata Greek Primary School
Kemeralti Cad. No:49
34425 Galata Beyoglu