Mob Attacks Tophane Art Galleries in Istanbul

ISTANBUL (A.W.)—Below is a press release signed by “Tophane galleries, artists and art audience” about today’s attack by a mob of up to 50 people on the Tophane Art Galleries in Istanbul. The mob was allegedly “enraged at public alcohol consumption.”

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In an organized attack on art galleries in the Tophane neighbourhood of Istanbul, guests attending exhibition openings were physically assaulted in a lynch attempt by a gang of 40-50 people. The audience subjected to this atmosphere of total terror featured artists, academicians, students, writers, local and international journalists, and cultural attaches from consulates. The attackers used knives, batons, broken bottles, and pepper spray. The injured include Polish, Dutch, German, and English guests.

We have witnessed for a time now the actions of a certain group to disrupt the openings, exhibitions, and events of art galleries in Tophane and to create an atmosphere of intimidation. Galleries, artists, and guests have been harassed and threatened numerous times. We know that these actions are carried out by a group organized via certain websites and around certain localities in the neighborhood.

We have always had a strong bond of communication with all our neighbors, with children, parents, and other commercial enterprises in the neighborhood, and carried out community projects. We believe we are a part of the cultural and social scene in Tophane. These organized attacks cannot be attributed to the Tophane community. These assailants constitute a serious threat to the security of our neighborhood.

This organized attack in the center of Istanbul, a cultural capital, is in no manner acceptable. This attack spells a clear and genuine warning to all art institutions. A serious investigation into the organizers and perpetrators of this attack is necessary for the safety of our neighborhood and city.

Participants in protests against the IMF had previously been attacked in a similar manner in what can only be described as a lynching attempt. However, this attack remained uninvestigated, providing an instance of encouragement for the groups carrying out such violent attacks.

We believe these attacks can be prevented if the governor’s office, the police forces, and political parties treat this incident with appropriate sensitivity. Failing that, such incidents will take on more perilous proportions and form a grave threat for the social and cultural life of our city.