Umut SAKALLIOGLU

Rally Vid�o, Performance Video | dv, hi8 | color | 3'47'' | Turkey | 2007 © Rally is a documentary about a performance which took place in Istanbul. The artist participates in public demonstrations organized by various groups such as Nationalists, Islamists, left-wingers, women, etc. These are public demonstrations which have actually taken place and the artist takes part as a "bogus participant" (which the viewer will understand after having seen a series of clips). It depicts the demonstrations of nine groups chosen at random within the political scene in Istanbul and in Turkey. Intertitles are used to provide information on these groups. Umut Sakalıoğlu was born Ordu, Turkey, in 1986. He currently resides in Istanbul. He holds a job as faculty of Fine Arts at Marmara University, where is also studying film and television. His art pieces include video, short films and performance art. His group exhibitions include: 4th Kargart Performance Days, Istanbul; 13th Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean, Bari; Fabrikartgroup, 1st International Modern Arts Festival, Sinasos, Turkey. And his performances in public spaces: "Motorway Speeches," E-5 Motorway; "Rally;" "Animals;" "To Throw in the Towel," all of which were held in Istanbul. Artist statement In this piece, a real event (subject of a document) is being manipulated with an `actor/performer`. Yet, still he is the part of the natural atmosphere and `acts` normally. That creates a questioning of seen and heard material, it clearly shows us a group supporter acting as a part of the group, but we dont percieve him as a ‘natural subject’ that camera cought. This suspicious (later it might become funny) state, that is created with the means of video and documentation, will also lead the viewer to think about the content that is being showed. The relation between the group and the individual; Does everyone really believe in the ‘words’ produced by the group? Is acting with a group is an automatised way of acting and can it turn into being meaningless and even funny? The piece contains the demonstrations of nine groups which is chosen randomly, which can be seen in the political scene of Istanbul/Turkey. List of exhibition, filmography... VIDEOS by Umut Sakallioglu 2005 -Treachery, 1’55” , minidv -Fear Security Fear, 1’50” , hi8 -Cinema Lessons (Fiction, 1’20” - Shooting Angle, 4’10” – Steadycam,3’5”), hi8 2006 -Untitled, 4’10”, hi8 -Within, 5’46” , minidv -Seashores of Maltepe from Marmara Sea, 2’48”, minidv -To throw in the towel, 9’22”, minidv -Animals, 50’41”, minidv -Ilovethefairychimnies, 18’53”, hi8, minidv 2007 -Self-Portrait, 2’4”, minidv -10 Blows, 15’, hdv720p -Rally, 3’47”, minidv,hi8 2008 -Motorway Speeches, 40’14”, hi8 GROUP EXHIBITIONS / FESTIVALS 2006 - Fabrikartgroup 1.st International Modern Arts Festival, Sinasos, Turkey - Istanbul Urban Theaters, 22. Youth Days, Democracy Park of Machka, Istanbul, Turkey 2007 - Winds into Future I, Selected works for the 13th Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean, Kasa Gallery, Istanbul, Turkey 2008 - 4th Kargart Performance Days, Istanbul, Turkey - 13th Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean, Bari, Italy - Urban Jealousy, the 1st International Roaming Biennial of Tehran, Istanbul, Turkey - 7th Strange Screen, Film and Video Festival, Thessaloniki, Greece.