State oppression in a dystopia fades the hopes of protest and resistance into desperation. The 2017 G20 Summit seemed like a celebration of this desperation; all the rage and resistance paled in contrast to the tranquility of the heads of the world’s economies calmly listening to Beethoven’s Ninth symphony Ode to Joy. An ode to joy, an ode to teargas and police brutality, to global oppression, arms sales, mass executions, nuclear power, post-cold war diplomacy and endless declarations by world peace officials.
We are witnessing the resurgence of right-wing authoritarianism in 21st century politics, we have seen people massacred in the name of religion, we have seen the domination of patriarchy in complete transparency and we have seen globalization fail on its promises. And we have seen all this with a single click.
Our submission to dystopian authority has no beginning and no end. Having been born into today’s world we have already submitted to dystopia, and in today’s world we have been shown that joy has indeed left us; farewell utopia.
Ipek Gorgun (TR) is a composer and sound artist having studied politics, philosophy and sonic arts. She has performed in Istanbul, Lugano, Tokyo and Cologne, amongst others. ipekgorgun.com