• ROSEHOUSE •
2023 - Istanbul
2022 - Copenhagen
2022 - Aachen
2022 - Berlin
2021 - Budapest
Rosehouse project creates homoerotic iconography with an oriental touch, focusing on the gender identities and the concepts of femininity and masculinity, commenting on male roles in Turkey and more widely in the rest of the Middle East.
Male bodies are depicted against the background of Supreme Edict of the Rosehouse (Gülhane Hatt-ı Şerif) as a disguised answer to the conservative ruling party (AKP) of Turkey, which is leading a witch hunt against LGBTQ+ community. The main policy of it's government relies on the glorious past of the Ottoman Empire, now so called Neo Ottomanism. This project is just a small reminder that it was the Supreme Edict of Rosehouse, the first official constitution of the The Ottoman Empire, that decriminalized homosexuality in 1858. Although a provocative way was chosen to convey repressed desires and taboos the result came out as not just a political statement but also portrayal of romantic and sensual relation between two male bodies. The red Imperial colors, the traditional Ottoman fez, realistic photography and decorative oriental motifs all contributed to the result.
One of the most significant issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey is the presence of discriminatory laws. Homosexuality itself is not illegal, but there are no specific protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This legal loophole allows for widespread discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, housing, and public services.
The government's stigmatizing stance is particularly evident in its handling of public discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. Erdogan himself has equated homosexuality with a disease and dismissed LGBTQ+ rights as a Western import that threatens traditional Turkish values. This deliberate framing of LGBTQ+ individuals as a threat to societal norms has created an environment where hate speech and violence against them are tolerated, if not encouraged.
President Erdogan's government's treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Turkey is marked by discrimination, legal obstacles, social stigmatization, and the suppression of activism. The absence of legal protections, along with the government's hostile rhetoric and actions, creates a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. It is crucial to recognize and address these issues to promote equality, inclusivity, and respect for the rights of all citizens. Efforts should be made to enact comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and challenge the prevailing social prejudices, fostering a society that embraces diversity and supports the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Gülhane Hattı-ı Şerif (Supreme Edict of the Rosehouse) or Tanzimat Fermanı (Imperial Edict of Reorganization) was proclamation by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I in 1839 that launched the Tanzimat period of reforms and reorganization in the Ottoman Empire.
During the Ottoman Empire, The law no longer contains any explicit articles criminalizing homosexuality in 1858 as part of wider reforms during the Tanzimat period. This made Turkey the ninth country in history to decriminalize homosexuality.