Hidden Worlds
Cappadox Contemporary Art, Turkey
RAAAF’s fire installation “Hidden Worlds” at Unesco world heritage site Cappadocia. The whole valley is set on fire as part of Cappadox Contemporary Art.
Hidden Worlds reflects literally and figuratively the life worlds behind the
landscape of Cappadocia. After sunset it shifts the focus from the volcanic landscape to the oppressed ancient cultures that hided in the valleys. Behind the millions of man-made holes in the rocks underground cities are obscured from view.
On a timeline of thousands of years, the caves in the valley of Ortahisar just got abandoned very recently: only 40 years ago. Currently most people don’t notice that for centuries this valley was the center of life in Ortahisar. Reflected on the inner cave structures the silent movement of the flames makes one feel the human presence in these ancient hidden worlds. From a distance it deepens the experience of a forgotten city that is brought to life.
Data
Kunstwerk: Hidden Worlds
Locatie: Ortahisar, Turkije - Cappadox Contemporary Art 2018
Curator: Fulya Erdemci
Project team: Ronald Rietveld, David Habets Erik Rietveld
Film by Maurice Spees
Reviews
Daily Sabbah
"Hidden Worlds – perhaps the most spectacular installation in the series – is also the most ephemeral. A two-part site-specific installation by the renowned Dutch studio, RAAAF (Rietveld Architecture-Art-Affordances), this 'fire installation' "reflects literally and figuratively the life worlds behind the landscape of Cappadocia."
— Designboom | Art section
“titled ‘hidden worlds’, RAAAF’s installation literally and figuratively reflects the worlds beneath cappadocia’s volcanic landscape. despite being used for millennia, the caves in the valley of ortahisar were abandoned only 40 years ago. installed within these ancient voids, a series of flames transform the site by simulating a human presence. once the sun goes down, the focus shifts from the volcanic landscape to the oppressed ancient cultures that once hid in these valleys.”