Art world rallies to raise funds for Turkey after earthquake
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As the US sanctions make humanitarian aid difficult to reach Syria, most of the international aid goes to Turkey.
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Rescuers and people search in a destroyed building in Kahramanmaras, southeastern Turkey, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023 (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey, killing more than 19,700 and destroying homes, heritage sites, and key infrastructure, serious concerns have been raised about the well-being and recovery of survivors. While US sanctions have made it difficult for donations to reach Syria, international charities and non-government organizations work to provide support in the region.
Artists and art world platforms work behind the scenes to rally industry support, trying to raise awareness and funds for disaster relief.
The experimental film Gilgamesh will be screening at art and publishing platform e-flux’s New York studios on February 9.
“All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go toward disaster relief in southeastern Turkey” the organizers say in an online statement.
The film features actors who are all women and members of the Amed Theater in Diyarbakir, a city in the part of Turkey most directly struck by the quake.
Proceeds from the e-flux shop are also being sent to fund relief efforts.
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In the wake of the disaster, Open Space Contemporary has organized an online sale of art.
“We have asked brilliant and generous artists we have worked with and in our network to help donate a work for the relief” efforts, the organizers say on Instagram.
Works that have been sold so far are the ceramic artist Holly Stevenson’s EYE (2022) and prints from artist Radek Brousil.
As for those that are still available, they include prints from artist Lauren Godfrey and the Venezuelan artist Lucia Pizzani’s clay work Tabachin.
Artists can still submit works for sale. “It is not a race but a marathon as unfortunately the damage is immense,” the site's founder, Huma Kabakci, told The Art Newspaper.
