Get closer to the other and wish to create a world where there is no “other”!

A contemporary art exhibition by Aslı Deniz Helvacıoğlu, titled “Get Closer,” can be seen in Ankara European Union Information Centre (EUIC) Ankara until October 20.

Helvacıoğlu, a young artist and academic of European Union law at Boğaziçi University, attended the opening of the exhibition and organized a “drawing workshop” for the art students based in Ankara.

Helvacıoğlu, who prepared the exhibition specifically for the European Union Information Centre, explained the theme of his paintings in the following words: “The thematic axis of the exhibition is established by the definition of the ‘other’ based on the prejudices of the differentiated individuals. Those icons also make a reference to the relations between Turkey and the European Union. In order to eliminate the prejudices and misconceptions of the man on the street , an environment for intercultural dialogue should be provided.”

Diego Mellado, the Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, said, “Ms Helvacıoğlu has launched a challenging call to talk to, get close to and understand those who are far away, who speak a different language and who live differently. Thank you, Ms Helvacıoğlu, for this plea on Intercultural Dialogue and I hope you all present, and a great deal who are yet to see this exhibition, enjoy it...”

Selda Paydak, Press and Information Manager of the Delegation, underlined that the exhibition, which was displayed to the residents of Istanbul in the EUIC Istanbul, would move to Antalya after Ankara. “The European Union has gotten closer to the Turkish people through the two information centres and thirteen information relays throughout Turkey,” she said.

“The European Union Information Centre is the living embodiment of ‘getting closer.’ This is done daily through the young people who come here to carry out research on the European Union or direct questions for their future, through multi-theme conferences and people who want to learn how EU projects and policies can effect their lives,” said Nazlan Ertan, the director of the EUIC Ankara.

The European Union Information Centre in Ankara, opened in 4th June 2007, is part of Information Support Programme of the European Commission Delegation to Turkey.

For more information, please contact Nazlan Ertan ( + 312 468 90 72 or nazlan.ertan@ecotec.com)