BIENNALS:15th Istanbul Biennial,Part I
Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) since 1987, the 15th Istanbul Biennial brings together artworks by 56 artists from 32 countries, including 30 new commissions, all addressing different notions of home, belonging and neighborhood. The 15th Biennial entitled “a good neighbour” takes place in six nearby venues within walking distance (Part II).
By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: 15th Istanbul Biennial Archive
Instead of a curatorial statement, the curators have developed forty questions that are guiding the process of making the exhibition. These questions were first presented live in Istanbul by 40 performers of different ages, genders and backgrounds in December last year. Some of these questions, such as “Is a good neighbour a stranger you don’t fear?” and “Is a good neighbour someone who reads the same newspaper as you?” are being used for an international billboard project presented in several cities around the world. Bringing together a variety of artworks dealing with different notions of home and neighbourhood, the 15th Istanbul Biennial exhibitions will take place at six nearby venues in walking distance: Galata Greek Primary School, Istanbul Modern, Pera Museum, ARK Kültür, Yoğunluk Atelier, and Küçük Mustafa Paşa Hammam. In anticipation of the exhibition, the 15th Istanbul Biennial also launched an International Billboard Project to share the theme of a good neighbour in different cities around the world. Through collaborations with cultural institutions worldwide, the International Billboard Project, designed by Rupert Smyth displays a selection of photographs by artist Lukas Wassmann, which capture unexpected encounters paired with questions asking what makes a good neighbour. Artworks on public display: One of the works on display at public spaces l belongs to Burçak Bingöl, an artist known for using ceramics and ornamentation in her works. In her series, “Follower”, the artist makes a critical interpretation of the surveillance culture of our day by ornamenting the surveillance cameras, which have gradually become one of the common sights of cities in the last ten years, with plant patterns she collected from Beyoğlu. The artist Ugo Rondinone also participates in the 15th Istanbul Biennial with his neon sculpture “Where Do We Go From Here?” (2007–17), from his “Rainbow Poems series” which is an adaptation of his work first shown at the 6th Istanbul Biennial in Taksim Square. The Public Programme is coordinated by artist Zeyno Pekünlü that encompasses a variety of events and discussions related to the concept of a good neighbour. Young audiences are invited to question, debate and make new work around the notions of home, neighbours and neighbourhoods on the occasion of the 15th Istanbul Biennial thanks to a dedicated Education Programme for children and young people conceived with the support of Koç Holding and in collaboration with Polly Brannan and Pera Education. Children and young people can take part in bespoke tours, workshops, discussions, walks, mappings and other events. Moreover, their work will be shared through various online platforms during the course of the Istanbul Biennial.
Info: Curators: Elmgreen & Dragset, 15th Istanbul Biennial, Duration: 16/9-12/11/17, Venues: 1: Istanbul Modern, Kılıçali Paşa Neighbourhood, Meclis-i Mebusan St., Tophane, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-sun 10:00-18:00, 2: Galata Greek Primary School, Kılıçali Paşa Neighbourhood, Kemeraltı St. No: 49, Galata, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-sun 10:00-18:00, 3: Pera Museum, Asmalı Mescit Neighbourhood, Meşrutiyet St. No: 65, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-Thu & Sat 10:00-19:00, Fri 10:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-18:00, 4: ARK Kültür, Kılıçali Paşa Neighbourhood, Batarya St. No: 2, Cihangir, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-sun 10:00-18:00, 5: Yoğunluk Artist Atelier, Asmalı Mescit Neighbourhood, Asmalı Mescit St. No: 23/18 4th floor, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-sun 10:00-18:00, 6: Küçük Mustafa Paşa Hammam, Yavuz Sultan Selim Neighbourhood, Müstantik St. No: 23-35, Fatih, Istanbul, Days & Hours: Tue-sun 10:00-18:00, http://15b.iksv.org
