Mehmet Turgut calls for animal rights through photos

The bells for Turkey to stand up for animal rights have been ringing for a long time. Turkey has been shaken by numerous cases of cruelty against animals over the past few years, causing civil society to take action with demands for better jurisdiction on animal rights -- an area in which Turkey’s record is still very far from international standards.

The issue of animal rights also receives interest from arts circles. Whether to only protest animal abuse or to raise public awareness, artists have been increasingly taking up the matter in their work. This is the case of well-known Turkish photographer Mehmet Turgut, who this month unveiled two new -- and parallel -- projects simultaneously.

Turgut dedicated the most recent edition of his photography and culture magazine “46” to animals. In addition, he is this week launching an exhibition called “5199,” whose title refers to the law on the protection of animals in Turkey.

For the exhibition and the magazine, Turgut worked with numerous stars from the arts scene in Turkey, including actress Serra Yılmaz, filmmaker Yüksel Aksu, actor Mert Fırat, author Yekta Kopan, actor Levent Üzümcü, rock musician Demir Demirkan and pop singer Burcu Güneş.

“5199” will open to the public on Saturday at the R Stage Exhibition Hall in Nişantaşı City’s shopping center in İstanbul, where it will remain on display until Dec. 17.

The magazine 46 has been in print for almost two years now. “The magazine addresses a significant audience. We witnessed many nasty incidents in recent times concerning animals, such as the dog massacre in Bolluca [a forest near İstanbul],” Turgut told Today’s Zaman in a recent online interview. “It was in a way the magazine’s duty to highlight this situation and remind people of how grave the situation really is.”

Weak sanctions, no rights

Turgut says the existing law in Turkey does penalize those caught violating animal rights, and thus has little efficiency. “Note that the title of the existing law is not the ‘law on animal rights,’ but the ‘law on the protection of animals’,” he adds. “The text of the law may be very well written, but when there’s no control and implementation, sanctions have no effect. According to the existing law, maltreatment of animals is not considered a crime. Unfortunately all cruelty against animals is considered to be a misdemeanor. The sanctions on torturing an animal and smoking in a closed area are almost the same,” he says.

“Worldwide, there are numerous campaigns to stop animal cruelty, and millions of volunteers are fighting for this cause. There are many movements that we can take as examples.”

Turgut emphasizes the necessity of action, which he believes will sooner or later produce an effect. “I am one of those who prefer to take action instead of speaking in vain,” says Turgut. “If I feel responsible for a certain problem and if I have the power to raise awareness about that problem, then I do not hesitate in using that power. I can do this through my magazine and through my profession and I believe that anybody -- whatever their profession -- can take action somehow. If we can cause one little spark, we will be very happy because I wholeheartedly believe that the next generations can turn this spark into a huge fire.”

46’s special edition on animals also supports the idea lying behind the exhibition, supporting the cause to bring animal rights in Turkey in line with international standards. In the meantime, Turgut aims to provide financial support for the cause as all proceeds from the sale of the works on display in his exhibition will be donated to the Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP). “The exhibition and the works in the magazine are parallel in content and message,” says Turgut. “My primary goal in realizing this exhibition is to donate all the proceeds from the exhibition to stray animals through HAYTAP.”

For the exhibition, Turgut has created extraordinary images of animals through distortion effects on photographs in a way that startles onlookers. “I preferred [working with] people who I think are the best in their profession,” says Turgut.

The project is not only confined to the exhibition. After its weeklong display at City’s, the exhibition will travel to another location that has yet to be announced on the Asian side of the city.

And it seems Turgut has committed himself to this cause. “I do not intend to give up this issue,” says Turgut. “I will point out this issue on all occasions and for as long as I can.”