Moni is the first-ever comprehensive publication on performance artist Salim Özgilik (b. 1966, Turkey), also known as Moni, who began producing in 1985. The publication aims to serve as a reference for researchers working on the history of performance art and its intersections with other disciplines through Moni's practice.
Moni chronicles the story and practice of this under-recognized artist, mapping his provocative works and audience-engaging approach in the 1980s and 1990s. Putting Moni's diverse practice—spanning painting, murals, installations, performances, and happenings—in dialogue with the Turkish and international performance art scenes, the book offers insights into the development of performance art, its entanglements with culture and politics, and its role in opening new spaces for younger generations of artists in Turkey. Featuring critical essays by Aslıhan Demirtaş, Bora Gürdaş, Catherine Spencer, Sevi Bayraktar, and Suzana Marjanić, it traces Moni's practice from Ankara to New York, presenting the artworks alongside a series of manifestos. The publication also includes a biography initiated by Moni in 1989 and updated incrementally through 2025, and Sezin Romi's interview with the artist, titled "Moni's Story."
Edited by Sezin Romi.
Contributions by Sevi Bayraktar, Aslıhan Demirtaş, Bora Gürdaş, Suzana Marjanić, Moni Salim Özgilik, Sezin Romi, Catherine Spencer.
