Burak Erkil

HIGHWAY RAT(7.00 min. Single Channel Video )

The installation I conceived aimed at creating a visibility project that casts a spotlight on marginalized communities within Turkey, with a particular emphasis on Istanbul, especially the Tarlabasi district. The focus of this project revolved around transvestites, transsexuals who frequently experience systematic violence, and LGBTT individuals who often remain obscured from the public's attention. The plush covered car also carries a significant subversive element through its kitsch aesthetics. Kitsch, often associated with tackiness and low artistic value, becomes a powerful tool for resistance. The choice of "highway rats," a term used derogatorily by conservative media, highlights the media's role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes about the targeted communities. By using this term as inspiration, the installation reclaims it and turns it into a vehicle for empowerment.