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Title
Almanyeah
Category
Video
“Almanyeah” – An Audiovisual Commentary on the Entry of the AfD into the German Bundestag.
“Almanyeah” is a 25-second video artwork that reflects on a pivotal political moment in Germany: the entry of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) into the Bundestag. The piece deliberately avoids spoken language or explicit narrative. Instead, it relies on a reduced yet intense visual and sonic language to evoke a collective sense of threat and social disquiet.
Year
2017
The sound design – composed of deep sub-bass frequencies, ominous drones, and disturbing ambient noises – creates an atmosphere of latent danger. It’s not a loud or overt threat, but rather a constant pressure in the room, symbolic of the subtle but pervasive societal shifts towards authoritarianism and exclusion.
Visually, “Almanyeah” is radically minimal: it uses only two colors – black and red. This strict color scheme reinforces the feeling of danger, escalation, and political urgency. Red stands for warning, rage, blood, or power. Black embodies darkness, uncertainty, and the unspeakable.
At the center of the image appears the word “Almanyeah”, rendered in a Fraktur typeface – a style historically associated with nationalism and authoritarian aesthetics in German cultural memory. The use of Fraktur, paired with the stark color scheme, produces a visual unease that reinforces the work’s underlying message: something old and dark is echoing into the present.
The title “Almanyeah” itself appears to be a creative neologism – likely combining the Turkish “Almanya” (Germany) with the English exclamation “Yeah.” On first glance, it suggests enthusiasm or connection. But in the context of the piece, the term is twisted into something ironic and unsettling. It opens up space for a critical reflection on German identity, cultural integration, and social tensions. What sounds like affirmation becomes a commentary on the fragility of belonging.
A central element of the video installation is the inclusion of the first article of the German Constitution:
„Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar.“ (Human dignity shall be inviolable.)
These words serve as a moral anchor. They are a reminder that democracy, human rights, and dignity must not be taken for granted. Especially in times of political polarization, such fundamental values must be actively upheld, questioned, and defended – every single day. This sentence is not decorative; it is a warning, a call to vigilance.
“Almanyeah” is not a documentary – it is a feeling. A pulse. A reaction. A quiet scream in the face of a shift that demands attention.
It is directed not against individuals, but against the atmosphere that arises when nationalism, exclusion, and authoritarian thinking become socially acceptable once again.
Ömer Mutlu is a visual artist working in diverse multimedia to realize social-cultural and experimental projects.
About
After nearly 15 years in the creative industry, Ömer now dedicates his focus towards an artistic career in constant evolution. He continuously reinvents himself through exploration, refusing to be confined by a single medium, title, or predefined identity.
As an Austrian with Turkish roots, it has always been a matter of great importance for Ömer to empower people of color, namely motivating the younger generations to engage with art and culture and find their voice through creativity. This pursuit led him to found and co-publish two digital media magazines, which celebrate the various contemporary arts and cultures from Berlin to Baghdad.
Ömer's ideas are expressed beyond the camera lens or any tool of choice. The inspiration for his works thrive within urban landscapes as he captures lived experiences. These fleeting moments are raw, unpolished – often brutalist in aesthetic to provoke a message – yet remain deeply intimate.
Ömer approaches his craft with humility and reverence, believing that art, beyond its messages and critiques, can also simply be fun. It is the artistic process, not the result, that matters after all — and he is determined to keep moving.
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