F11: The Airplane Key by Mehmet Dere is a reflection on the impact of 9/11, intertwining personal and collective memory with global political narratives. Created during a period of economic and social turmoil in Turkey, the piece examines how contemporary imagery and symbols, such as an airplane juxtaposed with a keyboard function key, can encapsulate broader cultural anxieties.

Initially conceived as a photomontage, the F11 key and airplane image were later transposed into the tangible reality of a notebook using photocopy techniques. The piece employs an ironic critique of the manufactured narratives surrounding war, often presented through data-driven false decor, targeting so-called enemies.

In addition to these conceptual elements, the work integrates autobiographical visuals, such as photographs from the artist?s life, including a graveyard and a primary school photo. These additions create a multi-layered narrative, where individual experiences intersect with overarching societal themes.

Dere?s work invites a broader discussion on the social production of art, aesthetics, and the authenticity of creative expression, posing questions about the dynamics between personal memory and collective history. It situates the viewer amid a dialogue on modern sociopolitical constructs, underlining the intricate relationship between personal identity and external events.