Independent (Bagimsiz) Network is a cultural management and capacity-building program that aims at bringing together independent artists, cultural operators and representatives of art-based structures from Istanbul, Anatolia and Europe that are active in the field of contemporary performance. The project, with the objective of developing and disseminating contemporary performing arts, is based on the idea of creating a series of encounter opportunities in various formats so as to initiate a dialogue that enhances already existing communication channels between actors in the field; to identify area-specific problems; to configure responsive ideas and projects; to establish new networking and operation grounds; to develop new means and possibilities of collaboration; to intervene in existing public-scale cultural policies; to mobilize innovative civil organization strategies; and therefore to initiate an overall transformation process.
In this regard, and within the project's working period between January-June 2008, there will take place:
- three separate, weekend-long, multi-session working groups in the action areas of publication/criticism, education and cultural management, each of which will be supported by respective seminars;
- three connected, open-forum type, single-session artistic research ateliers, each of which will focus on a genealogical investigation into existing contemporary dance, theatre and performance aesthetics in Turkey so as to open these practices to new readings within social, political, historical and philosophical contexts; and
- a general evaluation meeting, where the processes and results of each working group/atelier will be shared with other groups, institutions and the general public.
Independent Network is supported by Netherlands Consulate General's Matra/KAP Program, Chrest Foundation, and Goethe Institute, along with Roxy Activity Platform, Anadolu Kultur A.S. Tutun Deposu, Akbank Arts Center, Istanbul 2010 European Cultural Capital Agency, CPM Creative Production Management, Istanbul Bilgi University's MAP Management of Performing Arts Department, Open Space Technology, Nnaco/Movement Atelier, and Maya Arts Center. The list of project supporters is open-ended, and will continue to be shaped in accordance with additional contributions to take place until the finalization of the project.
Project Development: Şule Ateş, Zeynep Günsür, Elif Kamışlı, Eylem Ertürk İpek
Project Coordination: Şafak Uysal (safak@laboratuar.org)
Publication/Criticism Committee: Naz Erayda, Gurur Ertem, Zeynep Günsür, Aylin Kalem, Nihal Koldaş, Gülsün Odabaş, Yeşim Ö. Gülan (Deniz Polat)
Education Committee: Kemal Bozkurt, Evren Erbatur, Zeynep Günsür, Aylin Kalem, Tuğçe Tuna
Cultural Management Committee: Esra Aysun, Banu Ç. Barutçugil, Damla Hacaloğlu, Gökçe Dervişoğlu, Eylem E. İpek, Elif Kamışlı, Zümray Kutlu, İmre Tezel (Pelin Başaran, Ekmel Ertan, Mihran Tomasyan)
Independent Bulletin: İmre Tezel, Şafak Uysal
