Standing for Freedom of Expression

The “duran adam“ (turk. for „standing man“), a performance by the dancer and choreographer Erdem Gündüz, employs simple means in order to raise awareness on the fundamental right of freedom of expression. In 2013, during the protests around Gezi Park against the policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the artist stood staring silently at the large portrait of Atatürk, the founder of the republic, in Taksim square in Istanbul. His silent protest went viral on social media platforms. Without breaking a law and giving law enforcement cause to intervene, he exercised his right to criticize the conditions under the Erdoğan government and drew attention to the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, freedom of art, freedom of science and freedom of religion.

Click here to learn more about “duran adam” and the aesthetics of resistance.

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