Letters from
Attica
When faced with extreme loneliness—such as that experienced by travelers and prisoners—people have often turned to letter writing to communicate with loved ones and express their innermost thoughts and feelings. One such example is Sam Melville, who was imprisoned in Attica for vandalizing public property in protest of the Vietnam War. While incarcerated, he wrote letters from prison, sharing his experiences and convictions. In 1971, he was killed during the Attica prison riots.
His writings, along with those of others in similar circumstances, demonstrate the power of determination even in isolation. In Letters from Attica, Begüm Erciyas combines sound and instruction to create a solitary yet collective experience. Multiple voices bring words and sentences to life in public space, transforming personal letters into a shared encounter. Letters from Attica is both a journey and a search for a way to make one voice heard by many.
CREDITS
Concept
Begüm Erciyas
Developed with
Sara Manente, Katja Dreyer, Gaëtan Boulourde, Maru Mushtrieva, Ayşe Orhon
Dramaturgy
Dries Douibi
Live intervention
Sara Manente, Katja Dreyer, Gaëtan Boulourde
Production Management
Barbara Greiner, Klein Verzet
Production
Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Distribution
Something Great
With the kind support of
Workspacebrussels