Rooted in the Depths of Local Knowledge

This podcast series is an extension of the discursive space of the exhibition Sediment (curated by Dicle Beştaş & Başak Şenova), which raises questions about the social politics of ecology. The Sediment exhibition was on view at Rotor Center for Contemporary Art, an art institution in Graz, from November 2024 to February 2025. Throughout the exhibition, a parallel program featuring film screenings, artist talks, and workshops accompanied the show, aiming to engage with the diverse and vibrant communities of Graz. Now, in collaboration with Radio Helsinki and <rotor>, Sediment continues its journey—this time, as sound waves!

Sediment: The Echo of Coexistence delves into these themes and narratives, featuring contributions from researchers based in Graz. Each episode examines the ecological, social, and political dimensions shaping contemporary art discourse, along with collaborative artistic and curatorial approaches.

In This Episode: Rooted in the Depths of Local Knowledge, Rozelin Akgün shares her artistic research, shedding light on the ongoing ecocide in the Hevsel Gardens. Her installation Hevsel: Traces of Encounters explores the spatial and ecological transformation of this historic landscape in Diyarbakır from 2009 to 2024. Through her work, she highlights the fragility of both nature and culture, revealing them as vulnerable spaces susceptible to decay over time. Akgün reimagines materials like weeds in new forms, situating industrial agricultural practices within the social, cultural, economic, and psychological dimensions of urban gardens.

In a collaborative dialogue with architect Bonura and Makovec, the artistic director and founder of <rotor>, this recording delves deeper into Akgün’s artistic practice and discursive approach. The interview explores the significance of conveying the transformation of the Hevsel Gardens and the impact of industrial agriculture through art. The conversation also touches on artistic and curatorial perspectives, offering insights into their creative processes and interactions within social and ecological contexts.

Prepared by: Dicle Beştaş and İpek Yüksek

Hosted by: İpek Yüksek

Guests: Rozelin Akgün, Carlotta Bonura, Margarethe Makovec

Music by local Graz band, Jaman Manaj