Individual residencies / Olot
MELEK BERFIN ALTINISIK
From Tuesday, 21 November 2023 to Friday, 1 December 2023
Bio
Degree from Sarah Lawrence College in New York in 2019 with concentrations in sociology, philosophy, art history and film. She has been working in the Film and Television industry in development, writing, production and distribution. She is a co-producer on the music documentary Bakirkoy Underground, which was selected to compete at various festivals. In the Fall of 2022, she was selected as one of the twelve European writers to attend the Eureka Series program by Series Mania Institute in Lille, sponsored by La Femis and HBO Max. Currently, she is developing her own film and TV projects in Europe, and writing short stories and personal essays.In her work, she is interested in finding the epicness in what’s seen as the ordinary; telling stories about the intimacy, desire and darkness looming under seemingly insignificant moments and human interactions.
Project
My residency project Ver Elini (Give Me Your Hand) aims to explore the themes of freedom, mobility, identity, heritage, and friendship through a travel-television series. These themes will be tightly woven into the main characters’ storylines coming from a deeply patriarchal society, and at a turning point in their lives. In the context of a travelogue, the project puts the personal in dialogue with the economic, cultural and political turmoils in interrelated parts of our post-pandemic world. It aims to start conversations about these daily anxieties, themes and human experiences that are universal, and time-stamp this crucial moment in history.
Finding Inspiration in Volcanic Mountains of Catalonia.
Participating in the Faberllull Olot residency has been truly special. As an artist, it’s a dream to find the time and space to be free to get inspired and create. Faberllull residency not only provided this, but also allowed me to meet some really unique artists, have inspiring conversations with them and be part of this community. Discussing our artistic processes and methods, and each residents own project conjured up new ideas for me for my future projects. Having the support of the Faber team and other artists boosted my motivation for both my residency project as well as my practice in general.
My days at the residency were both free and structured, which allowed me to focus deeply on my work and get a routine established pretty quickly. The residency was surrounded by beautiful landscapes and natural parks. Going for walks in the town of Olot, hiking up to the crater to take in the beautiful views and taking walks in the nature were much needed refuges after intensive writing days. All of these resulted in one of the most rewarding and productive work periods of my life. I am greatly thankful for this experience and recommend Faberllull residency for all artistic
creators and researchers.
