Right in “Duo” with Melek Zeynep Bulut

A story that is suspended right at the intersection of physical and intuitive. About duality, about new experiences, and maybe about parts of ourselves we have not yet recognized… “Duo” is not about what’s apparent – it focuses on what lurks just beneath the surface. “An artwork asks questions, it doesn’t provide answers,” says Zeynep, as if this installation has been within her for a long time but has just decided to come out of its shell. A dream from years ago, “Duo” springs to life as one of the Landmark projects of 2024 at the London Design Festival. With its scale that transcends spatial and bodily dimensions, this installation allows the emptiness to breathe inside the grandeur and echoing silence of the Painted Hall, inviting us to leave the world that surrounds us behind, even for a moment. 

On a tight schedule, on a colossal scale, and miles away from home… The journey of the work itself is a story on its own. Tell us about that process.

Melek Zeynep: With pleasure! “Duo” was actually an artwork that I had imagined and designed years ago but it could only recently come to life. We reached an agreement in mid-2024 for it to be showcased as one of the landmark projects at the London Design Festival, and thus, we began the production process for “Duo.” Its scale that transcends spatial and bodily dimensions is very exciting and close to myself. 

Naturally, working at such scales brings forth a production process that requires very strict planning. While the work falls under the category of artistic production, it is also a massive experimental spatial design setup as an engineering project, including material and impact reports. We crafted the entire piece by hand with a local team of around 110 people, and sent it to London for exhibition. We spent a very strictly planned and intense working period but that’s always been the case for us. We always work with great excitement but unfortunately, we don’t always have ample time to show that excitement. 

How did all this adventure reflect on you? What are the differences between the Zeynep you were when you started and the one you are now?

Melek Zeynep: Each project, each artwork transforms a person in some way. Inevitably, you get yourself involved in the process somehow, as you think about the philosophy and context of the work. This time with “Duo”, I started inspecting my inner contrasts more closely. I’m giving voice to all my versions of Zeynep as I embrace the theme of “two” in my life. This process is of course a more natural and spontaneous experience without an audience – lived through without giving thought to what it has or will have changed. But, somehow, something always changes. 

“Duo” has a multi-sensory aspect, which adds a spiritual layer to the work’s experience. How did the audio and visual elements of the project come together?

Melek Zeynep: Every designer has a behavioral pattern around the designing process. Mine works like this: I envision the artwork in my mind, it literally appears right inside that moment and opens itself to me with all its familiarity. First, this communication, this connection is established between me and the artwork, and then I start detailing it. While designing, I adopt the use of materials and experiences that especially play with perception and involve the senses.These experiences are principles that are auditory, visual, sometimes related to touch, and sometimes inclusive of the viewer. 

These are all because I don’t perceive humans to be merely matter and that I consider it important to touch their intuitions. Contacting intuition opens up space in people and makes them ask questions. “Duo” exactly stands on such a ground. It does not seek to provide an answer or a definition, but rather acts as a game of perception and makes the visitor ask the question. The question is everything, and the exhibition begins here.

“Each project, each artwork transforms a person in some way. Inevitably, you get yourself involved in the process somehow, as you think about the philosophy and context of the work.”

Melek Zeynep Bulut

What kind of phase did you imagine individuals would go through after the “Duo” experience?

Melek Zeynep: “Duo” is a product of the perception and consciousness that gave birth to it, and it performs like a skin. It opens up space for questions rather than answers.

It has senses. Memory and a sense of familiarity are at the forefront, which we crafted with basic elements as far as possible. We designed the experience as follows: First of all, what grabs you is the scale of the work, the relationship between the eye and perspective; then you softly start to question your physical perception with the effect of the space as a theatrical monument suspended in the air. The space embarks on a journey with you as the sensors and light perceive and react to you, the echo mechanisms are activated while you leave, walking through it. 

I do not have radical dreams such as the visitors going through a phase or experiencing major transformations at that moment. However, as I mentioned earlier, “opening up space” is a very valuable theme in “Duo”.

The scale of the work and the engineering behind it are stunning. How did the philosophical and physical progress take place during the production process? How do the material choices on the physical axis relate to the themes of duality and perception?

Melek Zeynep: “Duo” is built with about 7.000 cubes. These cubes are connected to a sensor system, and this system reveals a ground gear that is suspended in the air, inside a specially designed structure. Through this interposition, the artwork offers an experience based on various cause-and-effect principles, where the visitor becomes part of the interaction. Supported by microphones, speakers, and various systems, the semi-transparent and transparent cubes create a living monument. We worked with a team of about 110 people to produce it, as I mentioned before, everything was specially handcrafted in Turkey. This process holds significant importance for our conceptual theme as well.

Naturally, exploring the theme of “two” makes all the dualities in life visible, and it becomes a separate exhibition in itself through material, form, and experience. However, “Duo” is an installation that doesn’t promise any answers. On the contrary, it creates space for questions and stands in an , open-ended place. For this reason, the best answer to this question is to experience the artwork itself.

The Painted Hall is an iconic place, enriched by stories of a deep-rooted past. Did these features of the space have effects on the design process of “Duo”? What is the relationship between the artwork and the space?

Melek Zeynep: The Painted Hall is truly amazing and a highly characteristic place. As a location, the Meridian line runs right through the middle of it, and we are setting up “Duo” along this line. This is a very exciting context for an installation. Of course, the idea of ​​designing a second abstract, experimental space within such a characteristic space is a very determining, powerful motivation. A space within a space… A setup that is quite appropriate, perhaps even something that defined classic, but abstract in its own right. The hall itself has a story as well; the paintings inside include both abstract mythological and political figures, creating a narrative that moves between the material and the metaphysical. “Duo” mirrors this with a contemporary language, coming from two different eras and meeting each other to accompany a new narrative.

What’s next for you?

Melek Zeynep: I’m not planning at all. I’m always open to the beautiful ideas and possibilities that life brings with all my heart, and without any plans. Let’s see what’s next!

Melek Zeynep Bulut In Conversation with Tunga Yankı Tan