From September 1st to September 30th 2023, Merdiven Art Space will present Alican Leblebici’s solo exhibition “In the Middle of the Ring”. The artist explores the political and social impact of Muhammed Ali, a legendary boxer and activist, by reimagining the ring and its representation in today’s context.
The exhibition aims to discuss the social and political significance of the ring, as portrayed in “In the Middle of the Ring”. The artworks highlight issues such as racism, otherness, war, and political violence that shaped the socio-political climate during Muhammad Ali’s time, and are still prevalent in current global issues.
Alican Leblebici has been interested in boxing since childhood, and uses boxing gloves as a representation of power. According to the artist, the ring is not just a sports arena, but also a platform to showcase concepts such as social and political symbols, power, struggle, justice, equality, strategy, and resistance, while representing the balance of power in society, as well as the social, political, or ideological differences between the parties involved in the struggle. The artist also views the ring as a symbol of sovereignty, authority, and control.
The exhibit “In the Middle of the Ring” examines Muhammad Ali’s political activism and its relevance to current social and political issues. It showcases Ali’s successes in the boxing ring, as well as his impact on the social and political arena. Alican Leblebici’s artworks feature realistic images, neon symbols, and pop-art influences to highlight Ali’s contributions to the civil rights movement, his opposition to the Vietnam War, and his religious beliefs. The exhibit weaves Ali’s words and actions into a narrative that reflects the social a
