İnci Eviner Unveils Materials of Mind Theatre at Frieze Sculpture 2024 in Regent’s Park

Dirimart presents İnci Eviner’s Materials of Mind Theatre at Frieze Sculpture 2024, an installation that merges sculpture and performance to create an immersive theatrical experience. This highly anticipated exhibition will take place from September 18 to October 27, 2024, in the picturesque Regent’s Park, London, ahead of Frieze London. Curated by Fatoş Üstek, this year’s Frieze Sculpture brings a diverse range of artistic expressions to one of the city’s most iconic outdoor spaces.

Materials of Mind Theatre serves as an exploration of the body, politics, and the mind, as Eviner bridges the gap between the animate and inanimate. The installation features ceramic sculptures arranged on a platform that acts as both a stage and a pedestal, providing a fluid space where the audience is encouraged to engage their imagination. As they interact with the sculptures, visitors are invited to craft their own interpretations, which makes the artwork highly participatory. The combination of these evocative, ambiguous sculptures creates a canvas for collective storytelling and critical thought.

A Dance of Freedom and Identity

Central to Eviner’s work is a confrontation with the ideological representations of the human body, an effort to break free from the burdens of political identity that are imposed on individuals. Eviner seeks to highlight the tension between individual expression and societal pressures, questioning the ways in which bodies are defined and represented.

In this transformative space, the installation will also host live performances titled Under One Body, further expanding the concept of the body and mind. These performances, staged throughout the exhibition, are described by Eviner as a way to explore the blurred boundary between the animate and inanimate. Performers will wear flexible costumes resembling arms, legs, and hands, as they interact with the sculptures. The artist explains, “This performance explores how blurred the boundary between the animate and the inanimate can be, and this ambiguity dances on that indistinct boundary, opening the doors to a world where different existences are possible.”

Through this interplay, Eviner’s work captures the complexity of identity, existence, and the freedom of self-expression. It invites visitors to step into a world where the body’s movement and its relationship to space challenge preconceived notions about individuality and political structures.

Sculptural and Performance Art Combined

Materials of Mind Theatre epitomizes İnci Eviner’s multidisciplinary approach, which has become a hallmark of her career. A key figure in the Turkish contemporary art scene, Eviner’s moving image works and sculptural installations reflect on historical processes, violence, and societal power dynamics. In Materials of Mind Theatre, her characteristic blend of sculpture, performance, and video installation serves to challenge the representation of the body and its place in history and society.

Eviner’s art frequently delves into unconscious processes and critiques the norms that shape forms of representation. Through her surreal and fantastical figures, Eviner exposes the often-violent underpinnings of history and power, deconstructing societal codes. Her works are celebrated for their ability to connect with audiences on both an intellectual and visceral level, as they resonate with deeply personal and universal themes.

Collaboration and Support

The creation of Materials of Mind Theatre was made possible with the support of VitrA Ceramic Art Studio and Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts. This partnership highlights the collaboration between artists, educators, and cultural institutions to bring groundbreaking works of art to life. Eviner and Dirimart have acknowledged the contributions of these institutions, ensuring that the technical and creative aspects of the installation are in perfect harmony.

Performance Schedule

In addition to the exhibition, Eviner’s Under One Body performances are scheduled as follows:

•September 17 at 5:30 PM

•October 9 at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM

•October 10 at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

•October 12 at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Each performance promises to extend the conceptual depth of the installation, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the merging of movement and stillness, body and object, in a live setting.

Biography: İnci Eviner

Born in 1956 in Turkey, İnci Eviner has emerged as a prominent figure in the contemporary art world. Known for her multimedia assemblages and performance art, Eviner’s work challenges societal norms, exploring themes of identity, politics, and history. Her critically acclaimed projects have been exhibited globally, including at institutions such as the Venice Biennale (2019), Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Istanbul Biennial. Eviner’s boundary-pushing work has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Sharjah Biennial Prize (2017).