Şifa-Therapie, performance-Installation 2024

Kulturakademie Tarabya, İstanbul

Tarabya used to be called “Pharmacia” or “Phamakias”. This name, which meant “poison” in Byzantine times, goes back to the legend of the Argonauts. Jason, who left his homeland with the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, is said to have found it in the forest of Tarabya.
The people of Colchis hid the magical ram skin – the source of wealth and happiness – here, on the branch of a tall tree and protected by the giant Colchis snake. Jason steals the skin with the help of Medea, who falls in love with him and anaesthetizes the snake with a poison. Later, Patriarch Attikos of Constantinople is disturbed by the fact that this small settlement, where he holds his meetings, is associated with poison and changes the name of the place to “Therapia” (healing). With an installation and a performance, the artist and Tarabya alumna Mehtap Baydu replaces the golden fleece, symbol of being and happiness, with her own skin and brings the snake of Colchis to life so that it can guard the skin.