14 Apr 2008

Matti Braun. Özurfa

Şanliurfa, also known as Urfa, is a city in the Southeastern Anatolia region close to the Turkish-Syrian border that serves Cologne based artist Matti Braun as the point of departure for his exhibition. Archaeologists conjecture that it was once the cradle of civilisation. And for Christians, Şanliurfa has a special significance because it is believed to be the first ever official Christian city. Similarly Muslims and Jews venerate it as a holy city in which Abraham was born and was rescued from the stake.

To this day Şanliurfa is a place where new myths are born and those of bygone days are still alive and kicking, which is largely due to its long and chequered history and its great diversity in ethnic groups and religions. The exhibition project Özurfa is dedicated to the people and places connected with these myths, without verifying any facts or establishing causal links. The focus of attention is directed rather to the mysterious and unknown, which lend the mythical messages their power and appeal.