Installatie Queer Hope Chest - Can Bora

Psychological Journey

The Queer Hope Chest is an immersive installation that offers an exploration of the emotional struggles and societal pressures faced by individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. Inspired by the traditional Turkish “hope chest” tradition, this installation reimagines the concept to symbolize the emotional and psychological journey of a queer individual by delving into the intriguing facets of the tradition and emphasizing the themes of societal disclosure and intimate voyeurism.

Originating from various cultures, the hope chest has historically been a repository for young women’s future household essentials and a symbolic representation of their aspirations, hopes, and dreams. In this context, the hope chest plays a dual role - a symbol of societal expectations and the private world of a woman’s emotions. It becomes a metaphor for the delicate balance between social disclosure and intimate voyeurism since the hope chest also reflects the family’s aspiration and status, often “imposed to be shared with neighbours and extended communities”. This duality brings forth the notion of social disclosure, where the contents of the chest are not just personal but also subject to scrutiny and voyeuristic interest from those in the community. 

Multidisciplinary artist

For his installation, multi-disciplinary artist Can Bora invites the audience to contemplate the complex interplay between societal expectations, personal privacy, and the act of revealing a queer body’s intimate secret and qualities. With vulnerability and transparency at its core, the installation challenges viewers to question the line between tradition and privacy, hope and despair, material and immanent.

During these OPEN DAYS, visitors will also have the chance to meet and chat with the artist Can Bora. 

This artistic project is funded by Amsterdam Fonds voor de Kunst & Amarte Fonds.