Göksu Kunak – Sophiensæle | Freies Theater in Berlin

Göksu Kunak (Ankara, 1985) is an artist, researcher and writer based in Berlin. Kunak’s interest lies especially in chronopolitics and hybrid texts that deal with the performative lingo(s) of contemporary lifestyles as well as non-Western/unorthodox dramaturgies. As a non-native English writer, their texts play with multilingualism and syntax. Influenced by Arabesk culture and late modernities, Göksu imagines new situations out of real encounters that point out the problematics of hetero-patriarchal structures. Orientalism, self-Orientalization (the perception of the “Eastern”, and how the Eastern sees themselves through this construction), as well as camouflage, self-censorship and science fiction are other interests of Kunak. Recently Kuank has been working on score-based performances and installations that focus on simulacrum and muscle as an object, body-as-sculpture.

In 2023, funded by the Haupstadkulturfonds and Freischwimmen, they performed Ajaib Mahluqat (Acayip Mahlukat) co-produced by Sophiensæle. Previously, they exhibited their solo exhibitons Dhikr at Number1MainRoad Berlin and Bygone Innocence at Pilevneli Gallery Istanbul, both curated by Léon Kruijswijk. Kunak performed at Performa Biennial NYC, Neue Nationalgalerie, Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, De Singel Arts Center, Kaaitheather, Akademie der Künste Lab of Contested Space curated by Junge Akademie, The Parliament of Bodies as a part of Bergen Assembly 2019.