Ememem calls it “flacking” – the art of turning ugly cracks and pits into unique, colorful ceramic pieces. These sidewalk patches are made from recycled materials, broken glass, or discarded ceramics. Ememem is inspired by the spirit of the city. To many, Ankara may appear drab, but to him it is full of color, light, and traditional motifs. Sometimes, the works are accompanied by text, reflecting his own impressions or everyday phrases he hears on the street.
Starting from Lyon (France) - the hometown of the artist who keeps his identity and face hidden, Ememem's works gradually appeared in the capital Paris (France), Milan (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), Leipzig (Germany) and then to Chicago, New York (USA) and even the 2024 Paris Olympic Athletes' Village. What Ememem enjoys most is creating quietly at night, based on the belief that the streets belong to everyone, including himself. "We don't ask for permission. We do it because the streets belong to everyone," Ememem said.
The image of his grandfather in Ememem’s memory sweeping the yard and then sweeping the street in front of his house because he considered it a part of himself, planted the seed of street art in him. Ememem shares a profound philosophy that when something belongs to everyone, we easily think it does not belong to us. Through the art of decorating cracks, he wants to remind the message that the street, the city, the society belong to us and we are all the creators.
For Ememem, his work is art, poetry and also carries subtle messages. In Mostar, Bosnia, he once filled bomb craters with ceramic mosaics with barbed wire motifs, recalling traces of history. Many people who love Ememem's work believe that these colorful patches, in addition to their repair purposes, also beautify and remind people of the city's shortcomings.
Ememem’s ceramic mosaics have attracted the attention of both local and international politicians and officials. Speaking to the press, French Ambassador to Turkey Isabelle Dumont said the artworks created near the embassy have brought beauty to the area.
The recycled materials used by Ememem, according to Ms. Dumont, are not only beautiful but also symbolic. Some Ankara city government officials believe that with art that transcends physical and cultural boundaries, Ememem’s works will not be limited by any borders and will appear in many other locations in the future.
According to Ememem, the streets have always been a space for art. He shared: “When used properly, art can connect people very quickly, whether they are artists or anyone else.”
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghe-thuat-chua-lanh-cac-vet-thuong-tren-duong-pho-post802641.html
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