ecofeminism(s) opens at Thomas Erben Gallery - open now in New York!

July 13, 2020

Thrilled that Bilge’s work Cedar Forest, 1989, is included in ecofeminism(s), an incredible group exhibition at Thomas Erben Gallery, curated by Monika Fabijanska. This exhibition explores the legacy of some of the pioneers of ecofeminist art: Helène Aylon, Betsy Damon, Agnes Denes, Bilge Friedlaender, Ana Mendieta, Aviva Rahmani, and Cecilia Vicuña, and how their ideas and strategies are continued, developed or opposed by the younger generation – Andrea Bowers, Eliza Evans, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Carla Maldonado, Mary Mattingly, Jessica Segall, and Hanae Utamura. It also features the ecofeminist works of Lynn Hershman Leeson and Barbara Kruger, who escape these categories.

ecofeminism(s) is open to the public - with safe visiting protocols in place - weekdays through Friday, July 24.

Thomas Erben Gallery, 526 West 26th Street, floor 4, New York, NY 10001

Online conversations
Wednesday, July 15, 6:30 PM EST
Aviva Rahmani, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Jessica Segall
Link to zoom Meeting ID: 981 2636 6765 Password: 733683

Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 PM EST
Betsy Damon, Eliza Evans, Carla Maldonado
Eleanor Heartney (art writer, contributing editor, Art in America)
Link to zoom Meeting ID: 961 5414 6249 Password: 959807

Moderated by Monika Fabijanska

Speakers' Bios

Installation view ecofeminism(s), left to right: Carla Maldonado, Mary Mattingly, and Cecilia Vicuña (Bilge Friedlaender, sculpture). Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, June/July 2020 (photos: Andreas Vesterlund). — Installation view *ecofeminism(s)*, left to right: Carla Maldonado, Mary Mattingly, and Cecilia Vicuña (Bilge Friedlaender, sculpture). Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, June/July 2020 (photos: Andreas Vesterlund).

Installation view ecofeminism(s), left to right Eliza Evans, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Hanae Utamura, Betsy Damon, Aviva Rahmani, and Jessica Segall. Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, June/July 2020 (photos: Andreas Vesterlund). — Installation view *ecofeminism(s)*, left to right Eliza Evans, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Hanae Utamura, Betsy Damon, Aviva Rahmani, and Jessica Segall. Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, June/July 2020 (photos: Andreas Vesterlund).

Arter Exhibit Oct 2016 - Jan 2017

October 14, 2016

Arter hosts Bilge Friedlaender’s solo exhibition entitled “Words, Numbers, Lines” between 14 October 2016 and 15 January 2017. The exhibition, curated by Mira Friedlaender and Işın Önol, brings together works of the artist which have never been shown in Turkey nor exhibited elsewhere since the 1980s. “Words, Numbers, Lines” also marks the artist’s first solo exhibition since she passed away in 2000.

View more at Arter

"Words Numbers Lines" installation view, Arter, 2016

Hayal ve Hakikat @ The Istanbul Modern

September 06, 2011 in current exhibition, epic of gilgamesh, printmaking, works on paper

We are happy to announce that three of Bilge's works from the Epic of Gilgamesh series will be included in the exhibit Hayal ve Hakikat (Dream and Reality) – at the Istanbul Modern - September 15, 2011 – January 2012

TDN press for "Remember Remember" & "Golden Rule"

June 30, 2011 in Uncategorized

Sculpture Exhibit: The Gilgamesh Epic

December 30, 2009 in 1990's, epic of gilgamesh, gallery installations, installation, printmaking, sculpture, Texts and Info, works on paper

Original Press Release:

Bilge Friedlaender's exhibition of sculpture, opening April 2nd and running through April 24th at Jessica Berwind Gallery, will include an installation of linen handmade paper and marble sculpture, a livre d'artiste and monoprints based on her interpretation of The Gilgamesh Epic. These works were included in the 2nd International Arts Biennial in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Gilgamesh Epic (4,000 B.C.) is the oldest epic known to us. The discovery of cuneiform clay tablets in the mid-nineteenth century in present day Turkey and Iraq led to the deciphering of the epic. Predating the Homeric epic by a thousand and a half years Gilgamesh, the renowned King of Uruk, is the first human hero in search of immortality and power. His outward struggle for immortality begins with the cutting of the sacred cedar forest, killing its sacred guard, enraging Ishtar/Inanna, the Goddess of heaven and earth and procreation, and finally killing her sacred bull of heaven. Displeased with Gilgamesh's trespasses, the Gods punish him with the death of his beloved friend Enkidu. This sacrifice brings about a search which ends with Gilgamesh's realization that only human creativity and deeds outlive death.

Bilge Friedlaender, who has a longstanding concern for the safety and preservation of the environment, sees in this epic a metaphor for modern man's destruction of the elements of nature and the need for awakening the human consciousness to our interdependency with nature. Bilge also sees in Inanna/Ishtar's struggle with Gilgamesh and her journey to the underworld and back a parallel to the awakening feminine consciousness of our time.

With these dual interests she has created sculpture as tools for healing and as offerings to engage in a dialogue of transformation. She has used the circle and the spiral as ancient sacred forms of continuity and healing. Her artist's book on Gilgamesh includes ten original chine-colle etchings, in an edition of 50, printed by Cindy Royce Ettinger in Philadelphia. This book is currently beginning a four year tour of Eastern and Western Europe in an exhibition of collaborative works, "Crossing Over/Changing Places," curated by Jane Farmer. Her monoprints were executed at Pyramid/ Atlantic, a handmade paper and artists' book workshop in Washington, D.C .. Bilge Friedlaender was invited to participate in two international Biennials of handmade paper sculpture in Germany and Hungary in 1992.