UIS Political Art and the Public Sphere series to screen "Taksim Commune"

WHAT: The Political Art and the Public Sphere (PAPS) series and Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series at the University of Illinois Springfield present a screening and discussion of the documentary Taksim Commune: Gezi Park and the Uprising in Turkey (2013). UIS political scientists Richard Gilman-Opalsky and Sibel Oktay will lead and moderate the discussion.

WHEN: Monday, April 6, 2015 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Brookens Auditorium on the lower level of Brookens Library at UIS

DETAILS: Taksim Commune is a short documentary featuring a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Summer 2013 Gezi Park protests in Turkey. The protests were initially aimed at rescuing Istanbul’s Gezi Park from being demolished as part of a large-scale urban renewal project. After police attacked protesters sleeping in the park and images of heavy-handed policing spread across the world, the protests transformed into a popular uprising.

Richard Gilman-Opalsky will discuss how the occupation of squares has become the iconic image of recent global uprisings. He’ll discuss how engaged citizens have often created a common experience in revolt and rebellion, which we have seen in many countries around the world since 2008. Special guest and co-host Sibel Oktay will help address questions about Turkish political history and current events.

The idea behind PAPS is to consider how “political art” raises provocative social and political questions, and to engage in discussion with students, faculty, and members of the general public.

For more information, contact Professor Richard Gilman-Opalsky at 217/206-8328 or email rgilm3@uis.edu.