Transcending Disciplines: Atıf Akın at the Intersection of Art, Science, and Freedom

Interdisciplinary artist, designer, and academic Atıf Akın advocates for inventing a new ground by rejecting categories of knowledge, rather than merely building a "bridge" between different fields. According to Akın, being interdisciplinary is not a choice but a necessity today, where different disciplines inevitably need each other, requiring one to grasp multiple fields simultaneously, much like in the Renaissance era. This approach enables him to free art and science from dogmas and approach them with a broader vision.

Interdisciplinary Ground and Technological Freedom

While utilizing technology as both a subject and a medium of expression in his artistic practice, he views it as an infinite extension of his own body and mind, unlike social relations that have strict boundaries and rules. This independent relationship he establishes with computers and programming languages is one of the most fundamental elements that liberate his art. Thanks to this space of freedom, he can examine politically or technologically sensitive issues outside of rigid political categories through an artistic lens.

Independent Research Spaces

The concepts of "freedom" and "safe space" in the artist's practice are shaped particularly by his critiques of the relationship between academia and industry. Akın points out that although universities appear to be the fortresses of free thought, they are frequently colonized by the industry, and research is directed by capital. In contrast, the nature of art, which does not require approval or validation from anyone, provides him with a safe space to conduct independent research without getting stuck in industrial or bureaucratic hurdles.

The clearest reflections of this independent research spirit are seen in his projects such as "Mutant Time" and "Signals," which are built upon radiation, nuclear history, and spaces. In critical nuclear regions like Chernobyl, Finland, and Armenia (Metsamor), Akın bypasses official academic procedures, gathering data through human relations and Geiger counters he sets up with his own budget. By transforming this collected radioactive data into visual artworks, he opens up hostilities between countries or nuclear dangers for discussion on a more humble and human ground.