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UNBOUN’D ACADEMY
na+CTRL Collective seeks to foster open dialogue through its UNBOUND’ Academy event series, an interactive platform where academics, artists, activists, and participants come together to exchange experiences, knowledge, and skills, as well as their care, curiosity, frustrations, and imaginative perspectives on a wide range of daily, political, and theoretical topics.
By offering a collaborative space for interdisciplinary discussions, UNBOUND’ Academy aims to break down rigid disciplinary boundaries and encourage the expression of diverse narratives that deepen our understanding of art and society. The platform explicitly opposes hierarchical structures where only those with titles or positions are given a voice and firmly rejects the production of any discriminatory discourse. We warmly invite everyone to join—bring yourself to the next event, and let’s connect!
The Ecological Alternatives UnBOUN’d Academy series consists of four sessions. It focuses on the emerging climate crises through the lens of ecological problems and explores possible alternatives.
I. 2 November 2023, open discussion with Fikret Adaman,
‘ What is Growth Theory and Its Relationship with Ecological Problems?’
The first session of Ecological Alternatives started with a discussion on the definition of growth theory and its impact on ecological crises, and it continued with an exploration of whether green growth can be a viable alternative.
II. 23 November 2023, Ekin Sibel Ceren
‘Anti-Capitalist Commons as a Degrowth and Conspicuous Consumption through the Critique of “Triangle of Sadness”
Through the critical analysis of the movie, Veblen’s term of Conspicuous Consumption is explained, and how degrowth can be thought of as an alternative is discussed with the storyline of the movie.
III- 21 December 2023, Fikret Adaman
‘Democracy, Participation, and Social Planning’
To envision some alternatives in line with society’s values and priorities, Fikret Adaman explained democratic participatory social planning in a future post-growth, eco-socialist society. This is a way of thinking that follows rules and is based on a democratic process where people and their preferences change.
IV- 15 January 2024, Fikret Adaman
‘Commons and Care in Art and Curating’
This final session of Ecological Alternatives series of UnBOUN’d Academy begins with the definition of commons and their historical evolution. We then explore how care and commons can be implemented in the realm of art and art institutions.
Tuna Ögüt & Kübra Uzun, 27 November 2022
Being Trans Forum, “Feeling at home in your body & on the road in your queerness”
One of the most prominent expectaton from the gender transition process & ans experience is to feel at home in your body. Some of us go on a journey to feel at home in our bodies, while some of us draw strength from not feeling at home in our bodies and while remaining actively engaged with the experience of being on the road. We had a conversation with queer artist & activist Kübra Uzun and queer academic Tuna Ögüt, about establishing a sense of home in one’s own body, as well as settling down, hitting the road, getting lost to find oneself.
Eren Senkardes & Fikret Adaman, 1 October 2022
he "Occupation of the Home" interview was conducted with Fikret Adaman, our art collective’s official advisor and a highly esteemed academic at Boğaziçi University, as well as Eren Şenkardeş, who opened the exhibition space as a home for us. During this forum, the concept of occupation, along with its connection to the home, was explored in depth. Fikret Adaman re-examined the home’s relationship with key concepts such as ecology, ownership, migration, and minority issues, emphasizing the significance of the concept of the commons. In conversation with Eren Şenkardeş, the discussion also delved into the history and community surrounding Eksi-Bir (the collectively-ran art & culture venue in which the panel took place), including their shared commons. The dialogue further touched upon its connection with occupations.
Aylin Vartanyan/, 25 September 2022
After a presentation addressing questions about the performance of our bodies, the potential meanings of an exhibition, and methods of co-production, a conversation ensued. In this open class, we explored the boundaries of art and engaged in discussions on diverse practices, ranging from queer cohabitation to transition processes within the field of art. This created an environment where participants could critically examine and share their perspectives on these topics.
At Eksi-Bir, the second stop of the Home exhibition, we hosted the “Settling Home” workshop led by Aylin Vartanyan, an academic at Boğaziçi University. During the workshop, we explored the concept of home through the lens of the body and colors, while also engaging in creative expression facilitated by the art production and playground inspired by Expressionist Arts movement. This process allowed us to revisit and reflect on our exhibition, held on September 25, 2022, through the new emotions and ideas about home that emerged during the workshop, thanks to the space and guidance provided by Aylin Vartanyan.
Bilal Yılmaz, 2 October 2022
Interdisciplinary artist and designer; “Creating Artistic Practices and Creative Networks” with artist Bilal Yılmaz, who creates collective experiences with sculptural objects and installations using mainly light, sound, movement and interaction.
Discussion with fellow academic Tuna Öğüt and queer performance artist and LGBTQ+ rights activist Ceytengri, 16 June 2021
This open lecture, designed as a tribute to the Boğaziçi Resistance, focused on the relationship between transness and art, drawing on personal experiences to explore topics such as trans artists, autobiographical production, and the politics of beauty. The discussion addressed questions surrounding the performance of our bodies, the potential meanings of exhibitions, and methods of co-production.
Following the presentation, the event transitioned into a dynamic conversation. By challenging and expanding the boundaries of art, participants examined diverse practices, ranging from the dynamics of teenage cohabitation to the processes of transition within the field of art. Simultaneously, the participants' own experiences were actively incorporated into the discussion, creating a rich and collaborative exchange of ideas.