Let’s Resist, created by Hale Ekinci, on display at 103 W. Washington
A colorful art installation grabbing attention in West Chicago’s downtown will remain at 103 W. Washington Street for another month. The soft cluster of crocheted objects hanging by a thread of yarn, looks playful and whimsical, however each contains the complex struggles and censored stories of non-violent resisters.
Let’s Resist is the name of artist Hale Ekinci’s work, which in a promotional flier she describes as an “urban intervention/art installation commemorating non-violent resisters”. Her event poster describes the project as serving as a platform to continue the dialogue on local issues and civic action. Embedded in the individual yarn sculptures are anonymous experiences of hopeful people pushing for positive change.
“What started as my attempt to abstractly document the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul – to save a park against demolition – became an effort to represent different global protests. It is a snapshot of what I see in these peaceful protests: a diverse group of people occupying, marching, barricading against the crackdown of the opposition, be it governmental policies or private entities”, states Ekinci on her website.
Ekinci is a Chicago-based Turkish interdisciplinary artist and an Assistant Professor of Art at North Central College. She teaches a variety of courses in the Digital Art field. She spent childhood and much of her young adult years in Turkey, the homeland that she brings in and out of focus throughout her works.
Let’s Resist was installed in West Chicago for Artéculture, a multi-media pop up event sponsored by the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission. Ekinici’s work was recommended to Commission Chair Anni Holm by Chicago-based artist Eden Unluata whose work is included in the Commission’s Banner Art Project currently installed on Main Street. Holm explained, “He had been wanting to introduce us for a while, due to the fact that Hale teaches in Naperville. After meeting up with the artist, we determined that this piece would work well in the prominent front window of the building in which Artéculture would be held, not only for its visual appeal, but also because it would be engaging at the event.” Those attending the event were invited to submit a written narrative about a personal experience of resistance.
Let’s Resist will remain on display in the window of 103 W. Washington Street through July 24, 2016.
