How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?
I was invited to the first Biennale of Contemporary Art in Lebanon in Beirut. Unfortunately they could not provide any production, travel, accommodation support for artists. Of course it makes really hard to realize the project. Since I had a complicated installation that could change depending the space I had to go there. So it was very important to me to get this support for travel. Since I was doing an installation about an old Armenian woman it was nice to meet personally some other Armenian who came for the opening.
How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?
I have been working about Armenian project since many years and I have received quite a good respect from Lebanese Armenian. I would like to development two projects : one of them is a bit wider including, music and theater in Burj Hammoud (one of the Armenian and other minority area). Apart from this long term project I wanted to do another film about Elizabeth Kechegian. It will be a collaboration between Turkish and Armenian productions. Therefore I am planing to go to Lebanon again in spring 2018. During my trip I have met some historian from Haygazian University in order to make some historical research. I am planing to find where exactly Elizabeth came from and take the picture of her to Turkey. It is a very important film project for me as she was killed while we were planing go back to Turkey together.
Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?
It is very hard to be an artist and produce those days since they are less and less paid from institutions. This is one of the biggest issue if you are not world wild known. Since there are really less funding for non-European countries and its citizens, I am seeing how difficultly artists are surviving in those countries like Lebanon. It is a very complex subject but, war in Syria also has a big impact in Lebanon. Seeing people struggling in this condition effect a lot my art work and ideas behind.
Please indicate a link to your current work (website/facebook page)
http://www.ezgikilincaslan.com
