Born in Istanbul, Köken Ergun studied at the Istanbul University Acting Department, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Ancient Greek Theatre at London's King's College. Ergun is currently a PhD candidate at the Theatre Dramaturgy Department of Istanbul University [2006]. Between 1998 and 2001 Ergun worked as an assistent director to Robert Wilson. In 2001, he presented his first solo work, a large-scale installation performance, in Istanbul's Rumeli Fortress. This initial step into art performance led Ergun to move into the field of video and performance and he began exhibiting in Europe and the United States. His works have been screened at various film festivals in Europe. He also had different art-residencies in Europe and the United States.

I, Soldier is the first part of a video series in which Köken Ergun deals with the state-controlled ceremonies for the national days of the Turkish Republic. The nationalistic attributes attached to these large-scale events are framed in a non-descriptive way and shown from an almost voyeuristic point of view. I, Soldier was shot at the 'National Day for Youth and Sports'; the day that marks the start of the independence war of the Turkish people under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, against the Allied Forces back in 1919. The annual ceremony held at the biggest stadium of each city consists of figurative dances of high school students, choreographed in a 'timeless' socialist-realist manner.

Second part of Köken Ergun's video series about the state-controlled national day ceremonies of the Turkish Republic. Shot during the 'April 23rd Children's Day', which marks the establishment of the new Turkish Parliament, and the official demise of the Ottoman Empire back in 1920, this split screen film documents a pompous patriotic performance devised by elders to be performed by children. Hosted by the mayor and governor of Istanbul, with the participation of a high ranking general, the ceremony features poems and oaths read out loud by primary schools students. Patriotism becomes a hard-lined nationalism.