Programma

Artist Minem Sezgin introduces No Seat at The Table, a graphic novel project created with international and interdisciplinary efforts of creatives, architects and illustrators from Turkey and the Netherlands. Through four local fictional stories based on real life experiences and told from the perspective of a pigeon, the artists focus on some characteristics of gentrification and urban transformation, particularly on the residential displacement.

The artists question the notion of income diversity related to urban transformation, and explore its influences on social networks and inclusivity of the neighbourhoods. In each country, one city has been exposed to gentrification extensively (Amsterdam and Istanbul), whereas the other is being exposed to gentrification relatively sooner but rapidly (Utrecht and Ankara). The artists like to connect cities with global influences of gentrification, but also to showcase the local and unique features of each neighbourhood.

Opening programme

17.00h Walk in

17.30h Opening and introduction No Seat at the table by Minem Sezgin

17.50h Documentary screening 'Gentrified Stories' by Read My World and Beyond Walls

18.20u Q&A with the artists and producer of Gentrified Stories

The exhibition No Seat At The Table can be visited from Thursday 11th November untill Sunday 2cnd January. The novel and all prints exhibited are for sale. For more information, please contact info@japsambooks.nl

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More about the artist

Minem Sezgin is a visual storyteller and social innovator. Minem Sezgin comes from Ankara and has been living in Utrecht for more than five years. As a social innovator, the artist started and/or joined social, cultural and artistic projects that aimed to bring an added value to society. As a (visual) storyteller, Minem Sezgin writes, gives talks and photographically documents her surroundings. She is the writer, photographer and project leader of No Seat At The Table. This project is amongst 4 projects related to Turkey, selected after an open call of Stimuleringsfonds’ Internationalisation program. Currently they are in the preparatory research phase and prepare for implementation phase. For Amsterdam, they focus on Bos en Lommer, Kolenkitbuurt in particular.

More about the documentary Gentrified stories

GENTRIFIED STORIES is a documentary by Read My World and Beyond Walls on the history and impact of gentrification through the eyes of writers, community builders, storytellers, entrepreneurs, organizations, and more living in the boroughs of the city of Amsterdam. What is gentrification exactly and who is responsible to stop or slow down this process? Who’s the gentrifier and who’s being gentrified? And how can we reimagine a future where prosperity can benefit all?

Soufia Zahri dives into the various districts of Amsterdam and talks to some active and engaged residents. With reflections on the demographic changes affecting them and their communities, they shed a critical light on the impact of gentrification in today’s world.

Credits:

Edited & Directed: Jeremy Flohr

Produced & written: Fatma Bulaz

Reporter & narrator: Soufia Zahri

With: Najah Aouaki, Tayfun Balçık, Mitchell Esajas, Massih Hutak, Chris Keulemans, Wouter Pocorni, Minem Sezgin, and more.

Country: The Netherlands

Year: 2021

Language: Dutch with English subtitles

READ MY WORLD x BEYOND WALLS

Gentrified Stories is a co-production of Read My Word and Beyond Walls. Jeremy Flohr is a filmmaker, visual storyteller, audio producer, and co-founder of Beyond Walls. Jeremy edited and filmed Gentrified Stories. Fatma Bulaz is a curator for Read My World festival and producer & co-editor of the documentary Gentrified Stories.

ABOUT BEYOND WALLS

Beyond Walls is an Amsterdam-based and globally active collective of independent cultural professionals, artists, and visual storytellers. Their mission is to contribute to decolonial futures by initiating and curating projects that raise awareness, challenge views, and spark critical conversation and co-creation. Beyond Walls believes in the power of storytelling and art to educate and inspire people beyond historical facts.

Beyond Walls works with a diversity of partners like Framer Framed, TED, Read My World, Het Tropenmuseum, Erasmus Huis, Open University and more.

ABOUT READ MY WORLD

Read My World is a platform for the written and spoken word from all over the world. Read My World creates spaces of encounter for writers and storytellers, readers and listeners, publishers and translators. Read My World aims to look for and show the stories that remain beneath the surface of everyday current affairs. In order to track these down, Read My World works closely with international curators and editors, with whom they organize a variety of activities: an annual international literature festival, in-depth workshops, high-profile programs, and other literary productions.