As part of Needed: You 672 Hours Live Process, curated by Simge Burhanoğlu, Performistanbul Live Art Research Space (PCSAA), Istanbul
In Modesty, Ata Doğruel invited the audience to perform the act of nourishment, exploring the relationship between individuals and society, social dynamics, and the boundaries of selfhood.
“Welcome to my home,Please feel comfortable as if you are in your own home. Walk around, sit down, lie down, look around, touch, mingle, let it all hang out. I’m hungry when I’m at the black side, and full when at the white one. For an entire 28 days, I’m leaving my act of nutrition to your hands. Unless you feed me, I won’t be nourished. If I’m at the black side and you feel like feeding me; it would be enough to sit down on the chair with the food you brought. I will photograph of those who nourish me, and will hang it on the wall. If you bring me food when I’m at the white side, you can hang out with me and wait for me to turn back to the black side again. Either you may give the food to someone in need outside of this building. So that we can spread this performance outside these walls together. Above all, I do not expect you merely nourishing me. You are free to be here with empty hands and just share my hunger as well as my fullness. This process belongs to you. I will be under this roof until the 16 of March and will be waiting for you day and night.
Warm regards, ata.”
* 'Note to the audience' was written by the artist on a wall of the performance area for the audience to read.