PUT, 2017

‘Put’ is a photographic series about vandalized, deformed and  destroyed monuments and sculptures in public spaces in Turkey. It is an investigation to understand people's urge to express themselves through destruction of symbols in Turkey. 

“Put” series was commissioned for the exhibition “Envy, Enmity, Embarrassment” curated by Emre Baykal held at ARTER Museum, Istanbul between 24 January-7 April 2013. The photographs were shot in Istanbul, Ankara, Eskişehir, Diyarbakır, Trabzon, Kars and Erzurum, Turkey in October 2012. 

Put (tr): Idol (eng)

Idol: noun A representation of a god used as an object of worship.

The "Put" series traces the faith of sculptures and monuments in public spaces. In addition to focusing on a single narrative, each photograph tells the story of the polarization and the struggle for power in Turkey through the current state and fate of public sculptures in Turkey. Although it does not have a documentary tone, globally the series contains a political dimension.

What is intriguing about these photographs is their scope: Wherever they might be, these representations often fall victim to vandalism. What is attacked is not only an object, but all the meanings, side meanings that it represent as well as its supporters. Those who follow the pattern of this destructive expression can also sense the sensitivities of Turkish society. Therefore, the subjects of these photographs are not objects or symbols, but rather the attitude or mentality which tries to express itself or harm the opponent by destruction of symbols.

Regardless of the content, the theme, the symbolism it contains; even if they are known by or almost 'invisible' to the majority, these sculptures and monuments are all attacked and vandalized in a way. Some have been displaced, some have been broken into pieces; and some of them were the subject of the lawsuit followed by the public… Whichever authority or ideology they represent, these sculptures, each with its own separate story, share a similar destiny, and their paths intersect in the same story.

Nilüfer Şaşmazer