Plattform
The President’s Platform might be mistaken for a minimalist sculpture, but is actually a copy of the platform owned by the present government of Belarus, whose leader is Alexander Lukashenko. For important events the platform is set up, as
a propagandistic instrument to glorify his statesmanship and divert attention from politics. The absurdity of this solitary red pedestal reflects on the excessive use of the term ‘platform’ as an imaginary basis for dialogue and freedom of speech, whilst
at the same time this freedom of speech is stifled in most ‘democratic’ societies. The stage also makes reference to the exhibition as a space where subjects that are otherwise suppressed can be discussed and reflected upon in a way that is beyond real
politics. (Text by WHW - What, How & for Whom, 11th International Istanbul Biennial)
