Özlem Günyol and Mustafa Kunt

Hullabaloo, 2009
Multimedia-Sound installation
32 channels, 266 loudspeakers, 1 subwoofer, 1 computer
black lack paint on wood
255 x 235 x 60 cm
Photo: © Cem Yücetas

Özlem Günyol (1977 in Ankara, Turkey) and Mustafa Kunt (1978 in Ankara, Turkey) currently live and work in Frankfurt. After graduating from Hacettepe University in 2001 both moved to Germany. Özlem Günyol studied at the Städelschule, Frankfurt from 2001 to 2006, and Mustafa Kunt studied at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz from 2002 to 2009 as well as at the Städelschule, Frankfurt from 2003 to 2007.

They have been collaborating consistently since 2005 and exhibited in the shows “Thank You for Your Understanding” at 2nd Antakya Biennial, Antakya; “Vier” at Museum for Modern Arts-Zollamt, Frankfurt; “Unerwartet/Unexpected” at Art Museum Bochum; “Zonk Zonk” Outlet Project Room, Istanbul; “Making a Scene” at Fondazione Morragreco in Naples; “Alman Mali” at Kunstverein München, Munich; and “be-cause” at Basis, Frankfurt, among others. They are currently part of an exchange residency between Temple Bar Gallery and Studios (Dublin) and the city of Frankfurt am Main.

Their works are mostly based on a skepticism vis-à-vis any matter-of course approach to identity. They investigate the representation of individual and collective belonging, the meaning of language, symbols, and information conveyed by the media, as well as their link to culturally coded patterns of understanding. The conceptual character of their work is always connected with the traditional visual language of avant-garde art forms.

In their multimedia sound installation, Hullabaloo, all the national anthems in the world, represented by 266 loudspeakers, are composed in such a way that at the halfway mark in their durations, all the anthems are collectively audible. Instead of the melody, very loud noise is produced where the individual melodies drown out in cacophony.

Özlem’s and Mustafa’s residency is made possible by Schloss Balmoral, Stiftung Rheinland Pfalz für Kultur (Germany).