Ali Taptık
Information︎︎︎, Email︎︎︎
Website in construction.
Publications coming soon.
Video and online works will follow.
Website in construction.
Publications coming soon.
Video and online works will follow.
Meridians
2011
“Meridians” consists of four images showing censored spreads and details from the black-taped editions of Turkish translation of Henry Miller’s novel “Tropic of Capricorn” presented along with the originals the images depict.
Can Yayinevi, one of the most important literary publishing houses in Turkey, published the translation of “Tropic of Capricorn” first in 1985, when the publication was found sexually explicit, was banned from distribution and its copies were destroyed. The translator and the publishing house were sentenced to pay large amounts as a punishment.
In 1988, 40 publishers from Turkey reprinted “Tropic of Capricorn” without the apparent knowledge of Can Yayinevi and its translator by censoring the offensive content with black tape. They included the court decision of 1985 publication in the introduction of the book, which contained all the censored sentences as a part of expert witness’s statement. This edition was sued for obscenity as well but was cleared during trials as court decisions are in the public domain and can be published freely. The consecutive editions of the book are still presented with black tape and inclusion of the court decision.
This work can be considered an homage to 40 publishers and Can Yayinevi for their poetic resistance in 1988, aiming to remind the importance of collective resistance in a country that is constantly dealing with oppression of free expression.
Can Yayinevi, one of the most important literary publishing houses in Turkey, published the translation of “Tropic of Capricorn” first in 1985, when the publication was found sexually explicit, was banned from distribution and its copies were destroyed. The translator and the publishing house were sentenced to pay large amounts as a punishment.
In 1988, 40 publishers from Turkey reprinted “Tropic of Capricorn” without the apparent knowledge of Can Yayinevi and its translator by censoring the offensive content with black tape. They included the court decision of 1985 publication in the introduction of the book, which contained all the censored sentences as a part of expert witness’s statement. This edition was sued for obscenity as well but was cleared during trials as court decisions are in the public domain and can be published freely. The consecutive editions of the book are still presented with black tape and inclusion of the court decision.
This work can be considered an homage to 40 publishers and Can Yayinevi for their poetic resistance in 1988, aiming to remind the importance of collective resistance in a country that is constantly dealing with oppression of free expression.
