ReCollecting Anatolia

From his studio in Leiden, Casper Faassen works around how Western museum collections have been formed and how cultural authority has been historically constructed. “It is difficult to make sense of recent geopolitical developments without a broader historical context. In recent years, there has been growing recognition in the West of how colonial, imperial and racist histories continue to shape the present. Visually questioning the origins of cultural objects that I took for granted growing up with it, is one way of engaging with this legacy.”

This solo presentation, in partnership with Martch Gallery, forms part of Faassen’s longer running ReCollection project. Through a process he refers to as “ReCollecting”, Faassen retraces dispersed objects and reworks them in his signature language. The objects are presented as memories and placed in new groups with similar disputed backgrounds. The ongoing questions of ownership and restitution can be seen as symbols, reminding viewers that the conversation and the accountability of action does not end simply with the returning of an object.  

In preparation, Faassen dives into “Tears of Anatolia” by Yaşar Yılmaz as a source of inspiration and learning. Through this research he seeks to bring a focused, site specific installation rooted in the history of the region. 

The exhibition runs while the presentation at the Pera Museum is also on view.