About

bi'bak's research-based exhibitions focus on widely neglected narratives in (Western) Europe in order to generate new perspectives that are crucial to a complex understanding of socio-political and socio-economic contexts worldwide.

Exhibitions
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SILA YOLU | Berlin

The Holiday Transit to Turkey and the Tales of the Highway

By Malve Lippmann and Can Sungu

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SILA YOLU | Istanbul

The Holiday Transit to Turkey and the Tales of the Highway

By Malve Lippmann and Can Sungu

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BITTER THINGS | LUCRURI CARE DOR | Timisoara

Narratives and Memories of Transnational Families

By Malve Lippmann and Can Sungu

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BITTER THINGS | LUCRURI CARE DOR  | Timisoara

From 23 October 2020 to 04 December 2020, BITTER THINGS - Narratives and Memories of Transnational Families is presented in Timisoara, Romania, as part of the Timisoara - European Capital of Culture 2021 project STATIONARY FIREPLACES organized by Prin Banat Association.

BITTER THINGS – Narratives and Memories of Transnational Families is a research-based exhibition project by bi’bak that explores the impact of labor migration on the notion of motherhood and family from the perspectives of women migrant workers and children left behind. The installation takes experiences of transnational families from both past and present as a point of departure and brings narratives together with objects, which play a central role within the families.

Labor migration is worldwide creating new models of the transnational family, which despite geographical distances strives to maintain contact between the separated family members. In the time of the recruitment agreements in the 1960s, many parents were forced to leave their children behind since working hours were too demanding to make childcare on the side possible. Today it is predominantly migrant workers from Eastern Europe, who have to leave their families to earn a living in wealthier countries. Turkey, as a former country of emigration, has in turn become a destination for many workers, especially in the care sector, from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus or the Central Asian region.

But, how is the relationship between parents and children to be redefined whenever gifts and material support take the place of shared experience? When physical closeness has to take second place to communication programs like Skype and WhatsApp? How does this changing family landscape impact children and their parents? BITTER THINGS retraces positions on this topic from the 1960s right up to present day perspectives.

Besides the exhibitions a publication with academic and literary contributions, interviews, songs and photos examining the topic from interdisciplinary perspectives has been released. Order your copy here. A booklet with selected texts in German and photographs of the exhibition can be downloaded here.

The exhibition is accompanied by a side program including film screenings, discussions and lectures.

Funded by Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen

In ccoperation with TM2021, Prin Banat Association and Faber 

Malve Lippmann studied at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart and at the Institute for Art in Context (UdK) in Berlin. As a freelance stage designer and artist, she has been internationally responsible for the design of numerous performances, opera- and theatre productions. Since 2010, Malve Lippmann has been working as a curator and cultural manager, leading artistic workshops and seminars and is active in various cultural- and community projects. She is co-founder and artistic director of bi'bak and SİNEMA TRANSTOPIA.

Can Sungu studied film and visual communication design in Istanbul and at the Institute for Art in Context at the Berlin University of the Arts. He has given workshops and seminars in the field of film and published texts on film and migration. As an artist, he participated in numerous exhibitions, including at MMSU Rijeka, Künstlerhaus Vienna and REDCAT Los Angeles. He is co-founder and artistic director of bi‘bak.

To the events

Events
FABER

Narratives and Memories of Transnational Families

BITTER THINGS | LUCRURI CARE DOR | Opening Timisoara

Location: FABER
Splaiul Peneș Curcanul 4-5,

Friday, 23.10.2020 Opening

From 23 October 2019 to 04 December 2020, BITTER THINGS - Narratives and Memories of Transnational Families is presented in Timisoara, Romania, as part of the Timisoara - European Capital of Culture 2021 project STATIONARY FIREPLACES organized by Prin Banat Association.