Performance Lecture_invited by FSA (Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts Charleston South Carolina), at the Emily and Josh House,Charleston South Carolina

The “Perfosophic Duet” was created in 2014 by Nezaket Ekici and Dr. Andreas Dammertz. It has since been performed ten times, including at the Goethe-Institut in Istanbul, Haus am Waldsee in Berlin, Hohlbein Haus in Augsburg, the German Embassy in Ankara, the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, and most recently at the Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts (FSA) in Charleston, South Carolina. In total, over 700 spectators have experienced the unique combination of performance art and philosophy. The coined term “Perfosophic” blends “Performance” and “Philosophy.” The concept aims to enrich Nezaket Ekici’s powerful performances with the philosophical insights of her husband, Dr. Andreas Dammertz. His use of accessible philosophical metaphors allows audiences to engage more deeply with the performances' visual and emotional impact.Through photos, videos, and live interaction, the “Perfosophic Duet” offers an intimate look into the performance world of internationally renowned artist Nezaket Ekici. At the same time, it sheds light on the fundamental ideas embedded in her work through a philosophical lens. The link between art and philosophy is profound. Art, as a spiritually driven and boundary-transcending form, represents the freest expression of human creativity. Philosophy, from Plato onward, has grappled with the concepts of freedom and spirit. Ernst Cassirer described art as an autonomous sphere of thought in his “Essay on Man.” Even without theoretical comprehension, the aesthetic experience—what he called the “pleasure of the beautiful”—is real, though philosophical reflection can help us interpret it. Artistic freedom often challenges audiences, especially when context is lacking. A piece may appear merely beautiful, with its deeper meanings remaining hidden. The “Perfosophic Duet” bridges this gap, offering viewers a new pathway into Ekici’s aesthetic language through philosophical imagery. Ekici’s works are complex, layered, and boundary-crossing. Many performances evoke existential intensity that emotionally moves and activates viewers. She captures ephemeral moments from live performance and renders them unforgettable. In doing so, she offers a counterpoint to our modern, globalized, and fragmented world—where people strive for uniqueness, yet each moment slips away unnoticed. As G.W.F. Hegel remarked: “The now that is ‘now’ is no longer the ‘now’ that is ‘now.’” Her performances interrupt this constant flow, creating moments of stillness and grounding. Her art often contains mythical and spiritual imagery that suspends time. Interestingly, she creates such archetypal images without prior knowledge of the myths of ancient Greece or Asia—suggesting a kind of intuitive seeing, as if guided by the heart. This transformation of primordial images into contemporary performance is itself the essence of art. The 1-hour 15-minute “Perfosophic Duet” offers a window into the work of an artist who has created over 300 performances and installations in more than 180 cities across 70 countries on four continents. (Text Edited: Jono Wang Chu)

Piano, Projector, Video, Soundboxes,

1h 15min

Produced by Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts (FSA), Charleston, South Carolina Special thanks: Foundation for Spirituality and the Arts (FSA), Charleston, South Carolina , Josh and Emily Lamb, Paul Cheney (photographer),