Berfin Ataman

www.berfinataman.com berfinataman

ARTIST

BIO

Berfin Ataman was born in Izmir, Turkey. She went on to get her BFA in Theatre Design from the University of Southern California, her Post – Baccalaureate degree from the School of Art Institute Chicago, and her MFA from UCLA, Design Media Arts. She has shown her work in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Korea, and Istanbul in galleries and museums. Over multiple collections and projects, she has explored humans’ relationships to their environment and the non-human. Her medium is fluid according to each collection but has been materialized as wearables, installations, and other soft, kinetic, sculptures.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work examines the reciprocal relationships between systems, their interaction with each other, us (the humans), nature, and the non- humans. Every day we unknowingly interact with societal, cultural, technological, architectural, environmental, and many other systems. Even though we may be indifferent to it, almost everything that we come across during the day is designed to guide us. Sometimes, even our decisions are consequences of these systems because we rely on our instincts we have unconsciously inherited naturally or culturally. Although at times we are empowered by these systems, especially with the use of technology, I am interested in investigating and challenging our relationship with them. The pieces utilize electronics, mechanical systems, and visual elements in the design of the sculpture to demystify, question, and bring awareness to our relationships with these systems.