Mehmet Dere's Tek Kale (One Goal) delves into themes of childhood, creativity, and socio-economic critique through the reinterpretation of a simple yet poignant found object. This installation, deeply personal in origin, stems from the artist's childhood memories and reflects the inventive spirit of play. The title, translating to "One Goal," references a simplified version of football, a game reimagined by children with limited resources. In this adaptation, the traditional two-goal system is reduced to a single goal, played with fingers instead of feet, and with a coin replacing the ball.

Through its material and conceptual simplicity, Tek Kale transforms into a profound commentary on economic structures and societal dynamics. The replacement of the ball with a coin underscores the pervasive influence of economics in even the most innocent and imaginative acts of play. By reducing the globally celebrated game of football a complex cultural, social, and economic phenomenon to its most basic components, Dere invites viewers to question the intricate intersections of capitalism, leisure, and agency.

This work exemplifies the artist's practice of embedding satire and irony within his installations, turning everyday objects into powerful tools of reflection and critique. Tek Kale is not merely a nostalgic glance at childhood but a layered exploration of how systemic structures infiltrate the realm of play, shaping both individual and collective experiences.