Turkey: Istanbul Biennial to begin Saturday

By Saadet Firdevs Apari

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey's most popular contemporary art exhibition Istanbul Biennial will begin on Saturday.

A series of exhibitions will be organized at the Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul State Art and Sculpture Museum, Pera Museum and Buyukada Island from Sept. 14 to Nov. 10, with contribution of 56 artists’ 220 work of art from 25 different countries.

36 new works of art produced by artists working in different fields will also meet art lovers in Istanbul.

Speaking at the news conference, Bulent Eczacibasi, board chairman of Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) said: “Believing that culture and art are among the fundamental rights and needs of all individuals in society, we strive to increase access and participation in culture and to provide free expression platforms for artists.”

- Theme of this year’s exhibition

Omer Koc, board chairman of Koc Holding, said they have sponsored Istanbul Biennial since 2007.

“We are very happy to continue our support this very valuable art event until 100th anniversary of our organization, which is 2026,” Koc said, adding that free entry to exhibition for all visitors allow a record number of art lovers witness the works of art.

Koc stressed that the theme of this year’s exhibition is “The seventh Continent,” referring to the garbage dump floating on the Pacific Ocean.

“It would not be a more effective tool than art to explain how the great harm humanity has done to the world, the only source of life with its own hand, threatens our future,” Koc said.

“I believe that artists who take their power from culture and universal values will encourage us to question more and take bold steps towards our future. Since the clean world, which is the common desire of all of us, cannot exist spontaneously, each individual must determine their own responsibility area accordingly,” he added.

*Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur