Dept. of Communication and Design - Master's degree

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https://hdl.handle.net/11693/13855

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Open Access
1-GO 1-E: the development of durational aesthetics in mixed media sculpture
(Bilkent University, 2020-06) Teğin, Alp E.
This thesis investigates the development of a technique for the depiction of motion in painting through mixed media sculpture. Utilizing stacked glass layers as the spatial medium, 1-Go 1-E conceptualizes the technique utilized in the creation of barrier grid animations to be used in painting. Examining the concept of movement through the composite of Henri Bergson’s conception of qualitative and quantitative multiplicities, this thesis merges both to create a workflow for the creation of stacked glass mixed media sculptures.
Open Access
Acousmetre : the disembodied voice in cinema
(Bilkent University, 2008) Önen, Ufuk
This study is an attempt to explore the offscreen cinematic space in terms of sound with a special focus on voice, and to analyze the disembodied voices in cinema, in light of the theoretical framework of Michel Chion and his concepts of offscreen space and acousmêtre.
Open Access
Aesthetic experience in performance art : Marina Abramović the artist is present
(Bilkent University, 2013) Kırmızı, Defne
This thesis explores the possibility of an embodied, corporeal and transforming aesthetic experience that performance art may reveal. The artistic practice of Marina Abramović, who witnessed and pioneered the paradigm shifts in the performance art sphere, will be examined in conjunction with the performative turn and affective turn that art has been going through. In addition to a comprehensive overview of the former academic studies done on Abramović’s body of work, her latest performance The Artist Is Present (2010) and the critical reception it received will be discussed within the framework of aesthetic experience as a path to affective encounter in the area of contemporary performance art. John Dewey’s idea of art as a form of experience that creates an active engagement with oneself, and the others, in addition to the contemporary affect theory that is rooted in Gilles Deleuze’s concept of affect will lead us to see how affects grow in the area of performance art, and how aesthetic experience is constituted in and reinforces this affective engagement.
Open Access
Alternative media and democracy : political participation and expression through social media in Turkey
(Bilkent University, 2013) Acet, Oya
We live in a late-modern age characterized by globalization, self-reflexivity and high level of detraditionalization accompanied by the latest developments in the field of communication and information technologies. Besides its economic, social and cultural consequences, such an environment is mostly invested with great potential for realizing participatory democracy. Due to major transformations appeared in both class structure and cultural realm, the politics of late-modern age pursues a form of politics which is beyond left and right and, by a remarkable reformation, it can be called what Anthony Giddens calls a “third way politics”. Therefore, in such an environment, old political practices of participation and expression remain incompatible with social and cultural structure of the late-modern age. Herein, social media as a socialized and horizontal mode of communication, functions as a public space for struggles over power and counter-power especially for the groups who were interpellated as “others” since the foundation of the Turkish Republic in different periods of history. Benefiting from the discussions on the concepts of public sphere, citizenship, democracy and social media, this thesis studies the nature of political participation and expression through social media in Turkey and the potential of social media for being an instance of alternative media deepening democracy.
Open Access
Analyzing alternative sports media in Turkey : a case study on Socrates Magazine and Yazıhane
(Bilkent University, 2016-09) Tanık, Deniz Can
Especially in the last century, sports extended its scope and began to be followed by wider audience. Enhancements in the fields of communication and broadcasting enabled people to be more engaged and knowledgeable on sports than ever before. As a joint result of the expansion of sports and engagement of the audience, media increased its coverage on sports related content. While producing content regarding sports, the main focus was on the factual information from the competitions, simple statistics and relatively superficial commentary for the mainstream media. However, this approach of mainstream media caused some particular topics and branches to remain uncovered. Moreover, mainstream media has been working in line with existing dominant structures, seeking for profit, paying more attention to quantity than quality and limiting the scope of the authors with editorial interventions. These conditions paved the way for a pursuit of alternative approach within sports media. Intention was to produce sports related content which aims to fill the gaps left by mainstream media, by taking a stance against the dominant economic structure and creating a more horizontal relationship both among the authors and with the audience. Within this context, focus of this study will be the alternative sports media in Turkey. Through the overall analysis of the literature, features of the alternative media will be pointed out. By utilizing the core principles of the alternative media, two case studies Socrates Magazine and Yazıhane Blog will be analyzed. Main aim of the study will be to assess the compliance and extent of the alternative media examples in Turkey with the features underlined in the literature.
Open Access
Analyzing motivation and experience of visitors: a case study of Cermodern Art Center
(Bilkent University, 2020-07) Şahin, Aslı
This study focuses on the motivation and experience of visitors in CerModern Art Center, located in Ankara Turkey. The main concern is to understand which state motivates people to visit the Center, and what they experience there during their visits. It is also aimed to find the effect of special events in increasing the number of visitors to art centers. This thesis is based on two theoretical concepts the push-pull factor theory and the escape-seeking dichotomy. Qualitative and quantitative research conducted through surveys and interviews enabled data to be collected to examine the relationship between motivation and experience of visitors. The first survey focused on the push and pull motivations showing the reasons for visits and it was administered to visitors when they just arrived at the center. The second survey was the experience questionnaire and it was completed by visitors who spent time in the center. Survey findings were analyzed via descriptive statictics and the interviews. This thesis revealed significant results about visitors’ motivation and experiences.
Open Access
Anima: media in bodily terms as a multi-sensory artwork
(Bilkent University, 2018-07) Şengün, Hayri
This thesis is a written translation of the project "Anima". It art historically, theoretically and technically reveals the thought and procedures behind the project. And it shows my path and stance as an artist and MFA student. Concerning the concept of Ocularcentrism, it is argued that the concept itself pales the art and the media and causes the disembodiments. In order to clarify the notion of disembodiment, a discussion on concepts of body and medium is exercised. Following this discussion, it is claimed that a new approach to the eye as a part of senses as an organized whole could bring a new way for media in bodily terms as a whole of the collaboration each medium used. Through this notion of art and media, art historical part clarified. And also the project is technically revealed by comparing and contrast with artists and artworks in case.
Open Access
Apocalypse Now : pro-war sentiments in an "anti-war" film
(Bilkent University, 2007) Danış, Baran
In this study, the film Apocalypse Now is analyzed in terms of its ideological function and messages by using the textualist approach of screen theory. The film is examined as both a pro-war and anti-war film which reveals the U.S.’s ambivalence toward the Vietnam War both politically and cinematically. Although Apocalypse Now seems to oppose the war and is generally considered an anti-war film, the visual style of some scenes and certain discursive constructions of the film allow a pro-war reading. The film is analyzed especially in terms of its mythic structure, the subject positions it creates for the spectator, and the ideology of realism within it.
Open Access
The artistic afterlife of electronic waste
(Bilkent University, 2019-12) Köksal, Esra
This thesis aims to take a closer look at artistic projects that use discarded electronic parts as preferred medium. Electronic waste cumulates as the result of a highly technological era. The artworks that take part in this thesis emphasize that obsolete electronics should not be considered waste. From an array of artworks presented, works from artists such as Grégory Chatonsky, Walter Giers and Gabriel Dishaw partake in this thesis. In order to scrutinize these artworks, this study adopts a theoretical perspective that is strongly rooted in Deleuze and Guattari’s concepts of ‘becoming,’ ‘rhizome’ and ‘deterritorialization.’ These theories are applied to the fluid state of geological properties—such as aluminium, gold, copper and tantalum— that make up electronic devices. The contents that bring electronics to life are mined predominantly from the inner layers of the earth’s strata; therefore, their becomings are initiated long before their functionality in electronics. Contributing to and expanding upon the Deleuzian-Guattarian thought, Braidotti’s articulations on ‘becoming-nomad’ and her argument that nomadic ethics is the path for a sustainable future is also utilized. Besides, engaging in a different perspective toward media, Parikka emphasizes the need to look at media hardware and understand the contents that makes electronics function. Through art, identifying obsolete electronics with a potential for further use engages with issues of sustainability.
Open Access
Artistic practice in the aftermath of postmodernism : a case study
(Bilkent University, 2017-01) Çelen, İlker
Postmodern discourse is still the dominant factor in the 21st century art production. On the other hand, there have appeared a number of alternative concepts which suggest that the influence of postmodern tendencies on art is diminishing, becoming unable to meet today's realities, or transforming altogether. The common ground among these new concepts is that they postulate a partial return to modernist tendencies such as creativity, originality, and/or uniqueness, without denying the achievements of postmodernism such as deconstruction, open-endedness or interaction, thus creating an oscillation. The thesis aims to examine a selection of recent new media works which are all connected with these new tendencies in one way or another, based on their conceptual backgrounds and/or their aesthetic approach in relation to the evolution of new media. While investigating these artworks by case study approach, the thesis claims that these artworks can be taken as indicators of a new understanding in arts.
Open Access
At first sight: creating an alternate reality game with transmedia experience
(Bilkent University, 2019-09) Munlafalıoğlu, Güner
When images come together, the viewer starts to read a story according to their own perceptions. The actual motivation of the storyteller is to let the viewer create a story based on their own ongoing biases, then to instill an unexpected perspective to make them retrospectively evaluate the entire storyline they had created. Using the transmedia storytelling method makes the viewer feel immersed in the story so that they can reinforce the image of the story in their mind. That is why I am trying to find out: “How can we effectively make the audience an active part of the project and create a common ground, by using Transmedia Storytelling?” This thesis will support the alternate reality game that I have formed via trans media storytelling named “At First Sight”. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of the project “At First Sight”, which is an alternate reality game developed through transmedia storytelling in the frame of this thesis. This thesis introduces the works of the artist group called Blast Theory and analyzes the relationship between these works and the At First Sight project. In this sense, Play the Life, Live the Game and Confession projects, which were realized by using the alternate reality game and interactive game installation, were also included in the scope of the thesis in addition to At First Sight. In this context, the process and development of the projects examined are explained within the framework of supported theories and audience feedback.
Open Access
Audience reception of teen TV dramas : experience of romance and pleasure
(Bilkent University, 2016-08) Güneş, Hava Sare
Teen TV dramas are one of the mediums that provide people with conventional, socially constructed ideals about love which are culturally related to and presented with gender and morality. This thesis mainly discusses how teenager girls who are the target audience of the shows, interpret the concepts of love, gender and morality as illustrated in teenage tv dramas. It also asks how they experience the romance that is constructed by the moralities conveyed through TV series. The general structure of the study is composed of the relationship between the love discourse, which is developed by both teen TV dramas and cultural environment, and the teenage girls who are the viewers of these dramas in the patriarchal society.
Open Access
Authorship in video game adaptations
(Bilkent University, 2021-08) Günal, Serenay
The purpose of this thesis is to examine how authorship of video game adaptations is handled as a discursive concept. Auteur theory was created and analyzed as a critical method in the film medium. The thesis researches the adaptability and applicability of this theory into video games and video game adaptations. The findings from the literature review are then compared to a survey of players‘ perceptions and experiences of authorship in video gaming. The survey was conducted in four subtopics to examine player‘s opinions on their preferences in video games, transmedia and adaptation, game creators and creative roles, and lastly, impressions of authorship in video games and adaptations. Another angle on authorship in video game adaptations is the author-driven genre, with a case study of four different Lovecraftian video games; Conarium (2017) and Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (2005) as direct and Bloodborne (2015) and Darkest Dungeon (2016) as heavily inspired video games inspired by the early 20th-century stories of H. P. Lovecraft. The chapter aims to analyze how literary authorship creates a genre and a brand of its own in video gaming. Lastly, the thesis analyzes transmedia storytelling with a case study of authorship in The Witcher franchise, in which the adapted video games have assumed a more prominent international position than their literary sources.
Open Access
Autism spectrum disorders: a close-reading of four independent films
(Bilkent University, 2018-12) Mostowfi, Ahou
Both Hollywood and independent productions have been interested in depicting Autism Spectrum Disorders in the last thirty years. Within this period, diagnostic criteria of this developmental disorder have made dramatically progress by involving in different conditions and understandings. In parallel with this progress, it can be assumed that contemporary film and tv productions have offered diverse representations of ASD. Yet, to make such assumption, several progresses in different factors (diagnosis of ASD, representations of ASD, production models of the films) should be investigated. The current thesis aims to examine the tendency of using stereotypical representations of ASD in the contemporary independent productions. In this respect, the examination will be made through the close-readings of the following four films, Temple Grandin (2010), Life, Animated (2016), Snow Cake (2006) and Mozart and the Whale (2005).
Open Access
An autoethnographic research in digital re-collection : art-based inquiry of personal memory
(Bilkent University, 2017-09) Kırkağaç, Egemen
The subject-matter of this study is the researcher’s personal digital collection that is recovered from his computer which hasn’t been used for over 10 years and considered to be not functioning. With the help of digital file recovery procedures, the researcher shares his experiences on re-collecting digital items and the process of artistic expression that serves as the research question that is posed: What would be the potential approaches to a personal memory work - both in written and artistic/practical form- that grants its own reading. Suitable methodology for the researcher’s endeavor has been considered to be autoethnography that prioritizes personal experience in qualitative research. The research that leads up to a practical project and a written study has been conducted simultaneously. Autoethnographic research methodology has been used to inspect and document in a way that aims self-reflexivity.
Open Access
Behavioral changes of the audience by the algorithmic recommendation systems inside video-on-demand platforms considering the example of netflix
(Bilkent University, 2019-05) Gürmeriç, Can
Digital media revolution has provided new possibilities for different industries globally, in lives of individuals including business related areas, entertainment and personal relations. Technological advancements have sped up these changes, especially with the Internet and computational devices. Convergence of the Internet and existing media elements like telephones and computers have altered media, society and the culture of 21st Century. Traditional media forms like television has started to be affected by these changes as well. Streaming platforms have emerged over the last decades that are providing unlimited access to video or music material for monthly subscription fees. Netflix is one of these platforms which uses algorithmic recommendation systems that analyze user behavior for generating relevant material for each user. Recommendation systems are fundamental elements inside Video-on-Demand services that provide a unique experience for each user. With studies around the world, effects of Video-on-Demand services is being researched over the years, such as its effect on binge-watching behavior among the users. This thesis aims to focus specifically on the effects of algorithmic recommendation systems on the watching behavior of the audience of Video-on-Demand platforms by focusing on Netflix. As to analyze these possible effects, a theoretical background is presented that focuses the steps of these changes happening in the digital media era; followed by a research study conducted by Turkish Netflix subscribers through detailed interviews. Two main behaviors are observed over the study, which are presented in detail within the findings.
Open Access
Bodies in transfiguration: ontological in-betweenness in the Weimar aesthetics
(Bilkent University, 2021-05) Yılmaz, Didem
This thesis examines the processes of bodily transformation in the Weimar aesthetics embarking on an eclectic philosophy. For this aim, it explores the artworks of Max Ernst, Heinrich Hoerle, Raoul Hausmann, Hannah Höch, Otto Dix, and George Grosz in terms of the liminal visualization of the human body in three central motifs that include the Volkskörper’s (People’s Body) philosophical, aesthetic, and political reflections. This term carries a crucial importance in this thesis to dismantle the subject from its social and individual body structures in which it exists. These artists’ common traits arise from their searching for alternative forms in aesthetic, political, and social realms. The human bodies that are in constant change and transition in these artists’ projects enable an analysis from an interdisciplinary angle, including Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s ontology of becoming, Rosi Braidotti’s critical posthumanism, and Donna Haraway’s theory of the cyborg. This integrative methodology demonstrates how the Weimar aesthetics that experience modernism embodies and accommodates different artistic modalities that explore human-machine relationships in various forms.
Open Access
Breaking binaries : a critical approach to the fifth generation Chinese cinema
(Bilkent University, 2008) Erdem, Chien Yang
How to interpret the self-Orientalized representations in the Fifth Generation Chinese films remains an unresolved problem in cultural and film studies. This thesis underlines some of the major theoretical problems which have produced barriers for critical approaches to and understandings of the Fifth Generation phenomenon in Chinese cinema. By reconsidering the notion of power/knowledge in the Foucauldian sense, this work aims to challenge the assumed ontological relation between China and the West in rigid terms of binary oppositions and find an opening from this closure through which the complex and discursive interactions between the two can be critically examined. In this process of breaking the binaries, we are thus demanded to question the categories of culture, such as high vs. popular culture, art film vs. mass entertainment, etc., which take part in shaping our perceptual habits and interpretive politics.
Open Access
Camera archaeologia: a media archaeological investigation into the contemporary use of 19th-century photographic techniques
(Bilkent University, 2022-06) Okudan, Alaz
In the age where digital has become the norm, the earliest methods of photographic production started to provide peculiar and novel modes for the visual experience. Although 19th-century photographic techniques are not central today, they manage to hold a marginal share in the photographic discourse and practice. A small number of contemporary photographers tend to go against the grain of digital culture by diverting to chemical-based techniques without completely turning their backs on what digital technologies have to offer. By undertaking a media archaeological approach, this research investigates the motivations of those photographers. As a result of discourse analysis of interviews with seven photographers, it is found that 19th-century photographic techniques function as imaginary media which are conceived as compensatory methods that make up for problems, deficiencies, and challenges in the current hegemonic photographic technologies and practices. By combining desired features of chemical and numeric approaches to photography, the lack of tangibility, do-it-yourself sensation, experimentality, and subjectivity in digital technologies are attempted to be compensated.
Open Access
Caricaturizing representations of the United States during the Barack Obama and Donald Trump administrations in Turkish humor magazines
(Bilkent University, 2023-03) Çetintaş, Sıla
Political caricatures use humor and satire with visual and textual depictions to cast remarks on political figures or situations through exaggerations, disfigurations, or constructed situations. These depictions illustrate or imply the prevailing opinions or consensus on political events or issues. This thesis focuses on Turkey–U.S. relations and representations of the U.S. from 2008 to 2021 in the caricatures on the cover pages of weekly Turkish humor magazines Gırgır, Leman, Penguen, and Uykusuz. The interactions between the U.S. presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan evolve and change in these exaggerated visual parodies. American symbols and images are used in conjunction with Turkish ones with the aim of providing familiarity and clarifying the meaning in the depicted situations. Absurdity and subversion of events merged with benign familiarity creates political humor and satire. These caricatures claim to present alternative images to understand the covert nuances behind particular political dealings, which classifies them as anti-establishment discourses. The cover pages are analyzed with Greenberg’s (2002) framework and tools to explore the content, method, and messages of caricatures. Affective states of caricaturized subjects and language elements in speech bubbles are included as separate categories. The caricatures and their elements are coded and the results are given in tables and charts to clarify the frequency of appearances. This study utilizes descriptive analysis to characterize various aspects of cover pages and to draw corresponding interpretations by considering the incongruity theory of humor.