December 12, 2003
Hotel Silvia, Istanbul

Dear Sir or Madam,

Many thanks for your invitation. I really appreciate your offer and hereby guarantee that I will do my best.

First of all I must confess that it had never crossed my mind to undertake such a task. (Although to be honest, I had fantasized about it once in a while.)

My idea is that... Well, another confession: no ideas yet.

Wait! I have an idea. Why don’t we make a show with works of art that can be duplicated and still retain their aura. What aura? Okay. How about this: works that do not have an aura unless they are reproduced.

I wouldl really appreciate it if you could be a bit more specific about the budget. I guess there lies an opportunity.

Let me finish my proposal with a – to you not unfamialiar – quote that will clearly exemplify the idea:

“. . . truth, whose mother is history, rival of time, depository of deeds, witness of the past, exemplar and adviser to the present, and the future's counselor.” J.L.B.P.M.M.C.

I am very much looking forward to our collaboration and I remain with my best regards,

Yours,

Serkan Özkaya

P.S.1. As you might already know I am extremely busy and do not have too much time to spare.
P.S.2. I recall the garbage collectors who used to hire illegal aliens to work for them for less money.
P.S.3. If you know what I mean.