Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Agency Tool: Archive

Archive

Working with sociology student Büşra Çiçek, I interviewed a range of Gülsuyu-Gülensu residents. However, before we could ask any questions we were quizzed ourselves: who are you; why are you here; what are you doing; who has paid for you to come? The locals are happy to work with students and were always very generous, however many senior figures distrust the sincerity of the research, assuming that urban transformation is a hidden pretext. The reasons given for this are the involvement of ‘Garanti’ and the lack of feedback they receive. On many occasions research has been gathered but none of it has been disseminated back to the local community and original contributors. If the research isn’t being given back to them, they are asking, who is it being fed to?

Considering Geertz’s work on anthropology, we also must look ethically at our position as observer, and the repercussions our presence has upon the Gülsuyu-Gülensu residents; people who are already under considerable stress over the security of their homes and future of their livelihoods. Whilst we write notes and draw maps we are bothering them in the same way a stranger disturbs a passenger just by staring at them on the bus. We must remember that even as non-participating bystanders we are still interfering with our subjects, and for them, the Dukkan is a looming reminder of the unwelcome urban transformation. Clearly greater transparency with our project and research is required; however, gathering a public archive of material raises the following issues: access; privacy protection; ownership.


Interview at Gulensu tea room


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