Explore my work across club culture, curation, the stage and community engagement.
Curation and club projects
Gayhane
Gayhane at Berlin’s SO36 has been closely connected with İpek’s DJ work for decades. The QueerOriental dancefloor is a longstanding reference point in her club practice.
DeepDibe
DeepDibe is the Turkish dance music night founded by İpek and R-Zou. Its musical range brings electronic sounds together with pop and other dancefloor forms.
2024
Beyond Istanbul
In 2024, İpek curated Beyond Istanbul at Luftschloss on Tempelhofer Feld. This concert edition brought her longstanding Berlin event work to the venue.
2024
Beyond Istanbul × Hodri Meydan!
Beyond Istanbul met Hodri Meydan! in 2024. İpek’s curatorial work formed part of the football cultural summer programme at Berlin’s Reichstag.
2023
KuirXGazino
KuirXGazino was among İpek’s curatorial projects in 2023. The event took place as part of Kultursommerfest at Südblock in Berlin.
2022
Queers in Concert
İpek worked on Queers in Concert at Berlin’s SchwuZ in 2022. The project brought her concert curation to a venue rooted in queer cultural life.
2022
KuirXtopia
KuirXtopia took place at Berlin’s Revier SüdOst in 2022. İpek curated the project as part of the Kultursommerfest programme.
2021
Das IST Berlin
Das IST Berlin brought together Club RX, NOH Radio and Goethe-Institut Istanbul in 2021. İpek contributed to the curation of this Istanbul-based project.
#disPlaced – #rePlaced · Reflections
Reflections belongs to the #disPlaced – #rePlaced festival work at Berlin’s Radialsystem. It forms part of İpek’s curatorial practice beyond the conventional club format.
2017
#disPlaced – #rePlaced · Cultural Transition
İpek curated Cultural Transition at Radialsystem in 2017. Under #disPlaced – #rePlaced, artistic work met experiences of diaspora and displacement.
2015
New Sounds of Istanbul in Berlin
New Sounds of Istanbul in Berlin brought İpek’s curatorial work to Radialsystem in 2015. The programme placed a musical encounter between the two cities at its centre.
2015
New Sounds of Berlin in Istanbul
In 2015, İpek contributed to New Sounds of Berlin in Istanbul. This curatorial project took place at Borusan Müzik in Istanbul.
2014
Berlistanbul#25
Berlistanbul#25 spanned Berlin and Istanbul in 2014. İpek collaborated with Goethe-Institut Istanbul on this project linking the two cities.
2011
ALMANCI! – 50 Jahre Scheinehe
İpek contributed to the ALMANCI! – 50 Jahre Scheinehe theatre festival in 2011. The programme took place at Ballhaus Naunynstraße in Berlin.
2010
Almancı – Deutschländer!
İpek worked as a co-curator of Almancı – Deutschländer! in 2010. The festival took place in Istanbul.
2007 - 2020
ImPort ExPort Stage
İpek helped shape the ImPort ExPort Stage at Berlin’s Myfest from 2007 to 2020. The stage was one of her long-running curatorial commitments.
2008- 2015
Beyond Istanbul Live Concerts
Beyond Istanbul Live Concerts accompanied İpek’s Berlin work from 2008 to 2015. The concert series formed a distinct strand of her curatorial practice.
2003- 2010
Kanakwood
İpek curated Kanakwood events in Berlin between 2003 and 2010. The series belongs to the earlier long-running projects in her event archive.
2003-2007
Basar Oriental
The Basar Oriental stage formed part of İpek’s work at Karneval der Kulturen from 2003 to 2007. It brought her curation into Berlin’s public festival setting.
Compositions
2015
La Nuit d’Antigone
La Nuit d’Antigone is among İpek’s selected composition projects from 2015. A linked recording offers a way to explore the musical work.
2015
deLighted
İpek collaborated with Sinem Altan and Özgür Ersoy on deLighted in 2015. The project is included among her selected composition work.
2014
Blumen für Otello – Über die Verbrechen von Jena
In 2014, Blumen für Otello brought Esther Dischereit’s writing together with İpek’s music. The musical reading addresses the crimes of the NSU.
Film scores
2010
The Colours of Cultural Diversity in Istanbul
İpek contributed film music to The Colours of Cultural Diversity in Istanbul in 2010. The film was made with Annie G. and Esra B. Pertan at Ikon Film.
2007
Zisternen – İstanbuls versunkene Paläste
İpek worked on the music for Elfi Mikesch’s Zisternen – İstanbuls versunkene Paläste in 2007. It is one of the earlier film scores in her portfolio.
2007
Blind Date Istanbul – Habersiz Buluşma İstanbul
Blind Date Istanbul – Habersiz Buluşma İstanbul is a film project by Daniela Herneth. İpek contributed film music to the production in 2007.
2005
Halbes Leben – Yarım Hayatlar
İpek’s film music for Halbes Leben – Yarım Hayatlar dates from 2005. The film is a work by Claudia Laszczak and Kay Wishöth.
Theatre and stage
2013
La Bohème
İpek contributed musical work to La Bohème for Chamber Opera Vienna in 2013. This production brought her practice into an operatic setting.
2012
Muranooo
Muranooo is among İpek’s theatre projects from 2012. She contributed musical work to the Polish–Jewish production by Lilach Dekel-Avnery.
2012
Operap Berlin
Operap Berlin was a collaboration with Sinem Altan in 2012. İpek includes the project in her work creating music for the stage.
2011
Delighted
İpek worked with Özgür Ersoy and Sinem Altan on Delighted in 2011. The festival collaboration is documented among her musical stage projects.
2008
Universal: Seoul Istanbul New York
Universal: Seoul Istanbul New York is a work by Janina Janke. İpek contributed music to this stage project in 2008.
2007
Faked Identities
Faked Identities was created with Nurkan Erpulat for Beyond Belonging Festival in 2007. İpek contributed musical work to the production.
2007
Mozartmüzik – Eine türkische Hochzeit
İpek worked on the music for Mozartmüzik – Eine türkische Hochzeit in 2007. Susanne Frey’s stage production is among her selected theatre projects.
2007
Die Bodenkosmetikerinnen
Die Bodenkosmetikerinnen appears in İpek’s portfolio as a cabaret project from 2007. She contributed musical work to this stage format.
Publications and essays
2024
Nicht die Ersten
Nicht die Ersten appears in İpek’s selected publications for 2024. Edited by Tarek Shukrallah, the volume forms part of her archive of written work.
2024
Gayhane Doku-Podcast
The Gayhane documentary podcast focuses on the Berlin club night. Listed in İpek’s 2024 portfolio, it adds a documentary audio format alongside her musical work.
2021
Westberlin – ein sexuelles Porträt
İpek is represented in Westberlin – ein sexuelles Porträt from 2021. The volume was edited by Hans-Jürgen Voss and published by Psychosozial-Verlag.
2020
Impulse geben! Jüdische und muslimische Gründer im Gespräch
Impulse geben! appears in İpek’s 2020 publication list. The Schalom Aleikum project brings together conversations with Jewish and Muslim founders.
2020
Role Models – Lesbisch, feministisch, sichtbar
Role Models – Lesbisch, feministisch, sichtbar is listed among İpek’s publications for 2020. Its title brings role models together with lesbian and feminist visibility.
2017
Gayhane
İpek contributed a piece on Gayhane to the SO36 book published in 2017. The club history associated with her work is also preserved in this printed archive.
2015
Comfort Zone – Berlin Cookbook
Comfort Zone – Berlin Cookbook is included in İpek’s selected publications for 2015. The cookbook provides a different setting from her music and stage projects.
2010
Berlin à la Turka – Ein Kulturbuch
Berlin à la Turka – Ein Kulturbuch appears in İpek’s portfolio for 2010. The publication sits alongside her artistic work connecting Berlin and Türkiye.
2005
Turkish Coming-out
Turkish Coming-out appears in Was lebst Du? Jung, deutsch, türkisch from 2005. It is among İpek’s earlier published work addressing queer experiences.
2001
Ethnoorientierung – Die Relevanz einer Subkultur
Ethnoorientierung – Die Relevanz einer Subkultur is listed as a text from 2001. It forms part of İpek’s writing alongside her DJ sets and cultural projects.
2000
Vom anderen Ufer – Lesbische und schwule Migrantenjugendliche
İpek’s text on lesbian and gay migrant young people appeared in 2000. It is included in Alltag von Migrantenjugendlichen, edited by Iman Attia and Helga Marburger.
1999
Fresh Art at Internet
Fresh Art at Internet is listed in connection with Yopic e.V. in 1999. The entry records an early link between İpek’s DJ practice and an internet project.
1999
Gayhane
İpek contributed a text on Gayhane to Lesbisches Berlin in 1999. Published by Orlanda Verlag, it records an early chapter of the club night’s history.
1999
Djane
Djane is another contribution by İpek to Lesbisches Berlin from 1999. Published by Orlanda Verlag, it belongs to her selected early written work.
1998
Lesbisch und türkisch – Ein Widerspruch?!
İpek’s text Lesbisch und türkisch – Ein Widerspruch?! appeared in Kauderzanca in 1998. Its title brings questions of cultural background and lesbian identity together.
1997
Lesbisch und Türkisch! Ein Widerspruch!?
İpek’s 1997 diploma thesis examines the self-perceptions of second-generation lesbian immigrants from Türkiye. It focuses on women whose lives are based in Germany.
1992
Ayşe ist verliebt in Anja…
İpek developed Ayşe ist verliebt in Anja… for Lesbenberatung in 1992. She was responsible for the concept and editing of this German–Turkish educational booklet.
Workshops
2023
Residency and workshops in Madrid
İpek combined an artist residency in Madrid with workshops in 2023. Goethe-Institut provided the institutional setting for the visit.
2023
DJ workshops in Mexico City
Invited by the German Federal Foreign Office and Goethe-Institut, İpek led DJ workshops in Mexico City in 2023. She brought her practical DJ experience into a training setting.
2022
DJ workshop in Diyarbakır / Amed
İpek led a DJ workshop in Diyarbakır / Amed in 2022. Organised with Non Kolektif and Goethe-Institut, it also addressed LGBTQI* participants.
2021
DJ workshop in Ankara
The Ankara DJ workshop took place with Pembe Hayat, KuirFest and Haymatloz in 2021. İpek shared her knowledge in a programme addressing LGBTQI* participants.
2020
LGBTQI* in Turkish
LGBTQI* in Turkish was a two-day workshop held in 2020. İpek worked with Stadtteilmütter Neukölln on this Turkish-language programme.
2019
Sound and DJ training in Southern Kurdistan / Iraq
İpek delivered two weeks of sound and DJ training in Southern Kurdistan / Iraq in 2019. The extended format allowed sustained work with sound and DJ practice.
2019
Hybrid Identity and DJ workshops in Seoul
İpek’s workshop work took her to Seoul, South Korea, in 2019. The programme combined Hybrid Identity with practical DJ workshops.
2019
Hybrid Identity – workshops and talks in Ecuador
İpek led Hybrid Identity workshops and talks in Ecuador in 2019. The project extended her international work into a format for exchange beyond DJ performance.
2018
Hybrid Identity and DJ workshops in Japan
The two-week Japan programme combined Hybrid Identity, DJ workshops and performances in 2018. İpek brought teaching and artistic practice together during the visit.
2018
DJ training and mentoring in Tunis
İpek worked with young women on DJ training and mentoring in Tunis in 2018. The format combined workshop practice with continued support for their musical work.
2017
DJ training in Karachi
İpek delivered DJ training for girls at Karachi High School in Pakistan in 2017. This part of her international teaching practice took place in a school setting.
2016
DJ workshop in Tunis
The Tunis DJ workshop addressed young women in 2016. It is an early entry in İpek’s work there, which later included further training and mentoring.
2012-2014
DJ workshops in Graz
Between 2012 and 2014, İpek led DJ workshops for young women at Caritas in Graz. The multi-year collaboration is part of her international teaching archive.
2008
DJ workshops for FLINTA* participants
DJ workshops for FLINTA* participants are documented in İpek’s CV from 2008 onward. She shares knowledge and experience drawn from her own DJ practice.
2003
DJ workshop at Mozaik e.V.
The DJ workshop at Mozaik e.V. is documented for 2003. It is an early example of İpek connecting her DJ work with sharing skills and knowledge.
Activism and networks
2011
Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage
İpek has been a patron of Schule ohne Rassismus – Schule mit Courage since 2011. This commitment complements her musical work through support for a school-based initiative.
1999
GLADT e.V.
İpek was among the co-founders of GLADT e.V. in 1999. This self-organised organisation for BiPOC LGBTQI* communities forms a distinct part of her activism.
2009
female:pressure
İpek has been active in the female:pressure network since 2009. This affiliation records a longstanding strand of her networking within electronic music.
2010
Brunnhilde
Since 2010, İpek’s work with Vienna’s Brunnhilde DJ collective has included DJ training and artistic direction. Teaching and musical programming come together in this role.
1995
Bilitis’in Kız Kardeşleri
İpek helped establish Bilitis’in Kız Kardeşleri in Istanbul in 1995. The lesbian group is among the earlier chapters of her activism.
1993
Turkish lesbian migrant group in Berlin
İpek co-founded a Turkish lesbian migrant group at Mädchenladen Wedding in 1993. The Berlin group marks an early stage in her documented community organising.
Residencies and grants
2024
Northwestern University
İpek was an artist in residence at Northwestern University in Chicago from January to March 2024. The visit is part of her international residency work.
2021–2022
Kulturakademie Tarabya
İpek was an artist in residence at Kulturakademie Tarabya in Istanbul between October 2021 and January 2022. The residency complements her work between Berlin and Istanbul.
2018
Vila Sul
İpek’s artist residency at Vila Sul ran from January to March 2018. It is listed as a distinct stage in her international artistic work.
2017
Musicboard
A Musicboard grant is documented in İpek’s CV for 2017. The support is recorded separately from her later artist residencies.
Awards
2018
Award for Lesbian Visibility
İpek was a joint recipient of the Berlin Senate’s Award for Lesbian Visibility in 2018. The award recognises an area of her community engagement.
2006
German Record Critics’ Award
Beyond Istanbul 1 received the German Record Critics’ Award in 2006. İpek’s portfolio associates this recognition with her work on the compilation.
2005
World Beat DJ Competition
İpek won the World Beat DJ Competition in London in 2005. The competition marks an early international recognition in her artistic career.
Education and other work
1998 - 2015
Antioch College
İpek coordinated the Berlin onsite programme for Antioch College’s Women’s Studies Abroad Programme from 1998 to 2015. This work accompanied her artistic projects.
2015
Carleton College
İpek is listed as Berlin onsite coordinator for Carleton College’s Women & Gender Studies Abroad Programme from 2015 onward. The role forms part of her wider professional work.
1994–1997
Social pedagogy and social work
İpek studied social pedagogy and social work at Alice-Salomon-Fachhochschule in Berlin. This training forms a background to her later artistic and community work.
2001–2002
Quality and event management
İpek completed further training in quality management and event management from August 2001 to March 2002. This entry complements her musical career with organisational knowledge.
1999
Quality management in social work
İpek undertook further training in quality management in social work between March and November 1999. The course is recorded separately from her social pedagogy studies.
