ABOUT | ardayalkin

Arda Yalkın is a new media artist, cultural producer and social entrepreneur whose practice brings together art, technology, image culture and critical research. His background began with computers, music and sound technology, and later expanded into video, animation, VFX, live visual performance, artificial intelligence, moving image, sculpture and immersive media.

As an artist, Yalkın explores the relationship between technological systems, social behaviour and contemporary forms of perception. His works often examine power, consumer culture, media manipulation, identity, memory and the conflict between human existence and the systems produced by civilisation. He uses digital tools not only as methods of production, but also as subjects of artistic investigation.

In 2018, he co-founded ha:ar with sculptor Hande Şekerciler. Combining a classical approach to art with modern technologies, ha works across video, animation, music, generative art, robotic performance, artificial intelligence, painting and sculpture. The duo’s works have been presented internationally in museums, galleries, art fairs and cultural platforms across Turkey, the United States, Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Greece and Russia.

Alongside his artistic work, Yalkın has played an active role in building cultural infrastructure for new media art and digital culture. He is the founder of Noise Media Art Fair, co-founder of Piksel New Media Residency Program, and founder of Piksel Bülten. Through these platforms, he supports artists working with technology, creates opportunities for research and production, and helps connect local creative communities with international networks.

Yalkın has also been invited to numerous conferences, trainings and workshops as a speaker, trainer and expert on the relationship between art, technology, blockchain, artificial intelligence and digital culture. His practice therefore moves between artistic production, public speaking, education, platform-building and cultural entrepreneurship.

"In my works, I refer to unpleasant subjects such as power-people conflict, consumer society, assimilation, war, politics, religion and dissolution. Despite not grown up as an MTV kid, I attach great importance to the power, methods and intelligence of commercial ads, mainstream movies and mass media. The things I valued as a young student are now transforming into consumer goods as I watch with awe.

My method can be described as reverse engineering. I like to provoke people. The capital and political power apply refined and well crafted communication techniques to exploit the people and I use their own methods to disturb them a little."

Interviews

Articles & Publications

Selected Exhibitions and Screenings