The practice of Cevdet Erek explores our ways of perceiving space and time, often through rhythm, measurement, sound, and architecture. In this context, by combining video, sound, and images, he diversifies or transforms the viewer’s perception of their surroundings. Erek organizes the world around us through rhythmic structures such as metric systems and calendars, blending objective measurements with subjective experiences to blur the boundaries between these two realms. His works go beyond a reflection of personal history, bringing to the audience social transformations, cultural references, and strong symbolism. This approach unites various personal and collective associations, guiding the viewer towards different levels of spatial and temporal perception.
Cevdet Erek (1974, Istanbul) worked in various architectural offices during and after his architectural studies at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, and played as the drummer in Nekropsi, a music group he co-founded. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in Sound Engineering and Design at the Center for Advanced Studies in Music (MIAM) of Istanbul Technical University (ITU). In 2005–2006, he was a guest artist at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam. Since 2011, Erek has been a faculty member at the Department of Music Technology at ITU Turkish Music State Conservatory, and also teaches elective courses at ITU MIAM and the Faculty of Architecture. His solo exhibitions include Neugerriemschneider (Berlin, 2023), Galeri Nev Istanbul (2023), Museumsquartier (Vienna, 2022–2023), Arter (2020), Hamburger Bahnhof (Berlin, 2019–2020), Mor-Charpentier (Paris, 2014 & 2011), Spike Island (Bristol, 2014), Künstlerhaus Stuttgart (2013), Kunsthalle Basel (2012), and AKINCI. In 2017, at the 57th Venice Biennale, with his installation ÇIN, he transformed the Turkey Pavilion into a tribune-like structure centered on sound. Other biennales he has participated in include São Paulo Biennial (2025), Liverpool Biennial (2025), Thessaloniki Biennale (2023), Singapore Biennale (2022), Çanakkale Biennial (2022), Manifesta 14 (Kosovo, 2022), 33rd Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts (2019), 11th Shanghai Biennale (2018–2019), Bienal de Cuenca (2016–2017), 20th Biennale of Sydney (2016), Documenta 13 & 14 (2012, 2017), Sharjah Biennial 11 (2013), 12th and 14th Istanbul Biennial (2011, 2015), and Gwangju Biennale (2012).
Group exhibitions he has taken part in include Neugerriemschneider (Berlin, 2025), Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden (2024–2025), Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (2024), Hamburger Bahnhof (Berlin, 2022, 2024), Leros Island (2024), Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (2024), Arter (2022–2023 & 2024), Museum Tinguely (Basel, 2023), Museum of Modern Art of Bologna (2022–2023), Academy of the Arts of the World (Cologne, 2021), Villa Empain (Brussels, 2021), Galeri Nev Istanbul (2020), Martin Gropius Bau (Berlin, 2020), SFMOMA (San Francisco, 2019–2020), M HKA Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (2019), Istanbul Modern (2023–2025), Maxxi (Rome, 2015–2016), SALT Beyoğlu (Istanbul, 2015), AKINCI (Amsterdam, 2011–2012), Galeri Mana (Istanbul, 2012), Stedelijk Museum Schiedam (2012–2013), Tanas Berlin (2012), New Museum (New York, 2012), MASS MoCA (Massachusetts, 2011), Tate Modern (London, 2011), Ashkal Alwan (Beirut, 2010), TBA21 (Vienna, 2010), Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille (2009), and Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam, 2006).