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"RAFET ARSLAN IS AN ARTIST OF ART
What does an artist of art do?
An artist of art is a psychastenic action director on the path leading to schizo-incest; they engage joyfully with all that is figurative and non-figurative, without fearing despair, until they create a fluid yet truly volatile universe that erases the distinction between abstract and concrete, so that the “clinamen”s rise against gravity. Negation is the signature they cast without owning an island."
Zafer Aracagök
"There were also performances that supported the 'out-of-bounds' aesthetics of the exhibition: The first was Rafet Arslan's performance titled 'Invasion,' which he performed during the opening. Wearing a bizarre insect costume that reminded one of Cronenberg and, somewhat, Burroughs, Rafet shouted that art, poetry, surrealism, and other dizzying things had been 'banned' until 'further notice,' declaring that there was an 'invasion.' Loudly and disturbingly. With a shock effect. Here, one cannot help but think of Kafka and Samsa and the early criticism of bureaucracy and capitalism hidden in that 'transformation' story. And the question arises: While Kafkaesque conditions (let's call them neo-Kafkaesque) still plague us, why aren't there more Kafkaesque performances or stories?"
Ahmet Ergenç,
Art critic and curator
VIDEOS
ISTILA - "Rafet Arslan Performance" Intro and Side A: Balcony Address to the People
Rafet Arslan:
“Until further order, kissing is banned!
Until further order, poetry is banned!
Until further order, Nazım Hikmet is banned!
Until further order, falling in love is banned!
Until further order, surrealism is banned!
Missionary position, leg position, somersault position are banned!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“What are you talking about, man?!”
Rafet Arslan:
“I’m talking about an alien invasion!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“What invasion?”
Rafet Arslan:
“Alien invasion…”Citizen (a passerby):
“Come on, get inside!”
Rafet Arslan:
“BANNED!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“Stop disturbing us, don’t disrupt our peace.”
Rafet Arslan:
“Banned! I came from space!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“You’re being annoying.”
Rafet Arslan:
“I’m not.”
Citizen (a passerby):
“Come on, go mind your business. What’s banned?”
Rafet Arslan:
“Art is banned!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“Get out of here! What art?”
Rafet Arslan:
“Brother, do you know what insect politics is?”
Citizen (a passerby):
“I don’t need to!”
Rafet Arslan:
“Because insects don’t have politics. Insects bite you.”
Another Citizen (a passerby):
“What the hell is this guy saying?!”
Rafet Arslan:
“Until further order, being human is banned.
Until further order, standing on your head is banned.
Until further order, watching Emin Alper films is banned.
Until further order, falling in love is banned.
Until the third order! ENOUGH! The alien invasion is enough!”
Another Citizen (a passerby):
“Our head hurts, come on man!”
Rafet Arslan:
“Are you Turkish?”
Citizen (a passerby):
“What’s it to you?”
Rafet Arslan:
“I’m an alien, bro!”
Citizen (a passerby):
“Damn it's really a joke.”
Rafet Arslan:
“Until further order, Rock'n Roll is banned.
Until further order, Ruhi Su is banned.
Until further order, punk music is banned.
Until further order, breakdancing is banned.
Until further order, Ece Erhan's poems are banned.
Doing flips, dancing are banned.
Until further order, rents have been raised in the Kadıköy district.
Until further order, rents have been raised in Şişhane.
Until further order, breathing is banned. ENOUGH!”
(Throws the microphone.)
Citizen:
“Bravo!” (And applause…)
Young people passing by on motorcycles:
“Take that damn mask off, man!”
