23 October 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN , İSTANBUL
The Omnibus for Direct Democracy, a Germany-based citizens' initiative dedicated to linking art with politics, inspired by the ideas of 20th century artist Joseph Beuys, is currently in İstanbul, offering a platform for discussions and various cultural activities around the concept of democracy.
In accordance with his “extended definition of art,” in which he argued that art should deal with such concepts as culture and social issues, Beuys established the Organization for Direct Democracy by Referendum in 1971. In 1972 he installed an office at the Documenta 5 art fair in Kassel and discussed his “extended concept of art” with visitors for 100 days. In 1987, shortly after Beuys' death, a number of people came together to carry on his mission under the name “Bus for Direct Democracy.” The omnibus is in İstanbul until Oct. 25. On Oct. 24, it will be at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum for a panel discussion on the sidelines of the exhibition “Joseph Beuys and His Students.”
