Culture & Style
Your guide to the 16th Istanbul Biennial
On Saturday 14 September, the 16th Istanbul Biennial opens its doors across the city, creating a dialogue between artists and audiences through the mysterious talisman of Istanbul. Its curator, Nicolas Bourriaud – the co-founder of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, and the director of Montpellier Contemporain – has selected 57 artists from 26 countries for the showcase, which takes place at three official locations: Pera Museum, just a few minutes’ walk from Soho House Istanbul; the not yet open to the public Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, a transformed former warehouse building on the Bosporus waterfront; and Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands.
This year’s theme, ‘The Seventh Continent’, describes art as an anthropology and explores the influences of the human race – the paths it follows, the traces it leaves, and its interaction with non-humans – the seventh continent itself being a name given to the Great Pacific garbage patch, a huge mass of waste plastic in Pacific Ocean that represents one of the most devastating ecological impacts of human activity.
Besides the theme, what sets this year’s Biennial apart from its previous incarnations is the authentic and experimental structure of the programme. It uses public spaces, opens up private ones, presents site-specific installations and integrates seamlessly with Istanbul which, due to its geographical location straddling Europe and Asia, offers something for every culture.
Running until 10 November, Istanbul Biennial presents some of the art world’s most exciting new and established artists on its official programme, as well as some events and off-schedule pop-ups and fairs that shouldn’t be missed. Plus, Soho House Istanbul has again partnered with the Biennial’s organisers, Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), and will host some exciting events throughout its run, including private tours and a talk with Nicolas Bourriaud.
WHAT NOT TO MISS IN ISTANBUL
Glenn Ligon at Büyükada
Conceptual artist Glenn Ligon traces the experiences of American author and activist James Baldwin in 1960s Istanbul. Through different forms and mediums, with the help of local producers, Ligon’s work tells Baldwin’s story and highlights why it’s still significant today
Büyükada Island
Mariechen Danz at the Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum
One of the Biennial’s 57 artists, Berlin-based Mariechen Danz spent six days at a local brick factory creating an exciting installation with unexpected elements. During her workshop, Danz produced 2455 bricks with a supporting team, imprinting them with various body parts and organ models, to create a unique work of art.
Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ), Pürtelaş Hasan Efendi, Meclis-i Mebusan Cd. No:24, 34427 Beyoğlu
For the meeting points, opening times and further information on the official Biennial venues, click here.
Artweeks@Akaretler
From now until 30 September, the third edition of Artweeks@Akaretler hosts several Turkish galleries representing local and foreign artists. The programme includes exhibitions, installations, interviews with artists, workshops, performances and public lectures, as well as guided tours. Well-known contemporary art collectors Öner Kocabeyoğlu and Agah Uğur exhibit a selection from their private collections as a parallel show at Akaretler.
Sinanpaşa Mahallesi Şair Nedim Caddesi No 2, D:Blok Daire 4, 34022 Beşiktaş
The Child Within Me: A selection from the Ömer Koç Collection
Ömer Koç – a prominent collector and the chairman of the Koç Holding, Istanbul Biennial’s main sponsor until 2026 – exhibits a selection from his own collection for the second time at the Abdülmecid Efendi Mansion, a stunning late 19th-century Ottoman villa located on the Asian side of the city. The normally private building opens to the public from 17 September until 11 November.
Kuzguncuk, Kuşbakışı Caddesi. No 18, 34674 Üsküdar
Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair
A short span compared to Biennial’s 58 days, the Contemporary Istanbul art fair takes place 12-15 September 2019 – with a preview on Wednesday 11 – bringing together the leading contemporary art galleries, artists and collectors from Turkey and around the world during Biennial. Anissa Touati, artistic director of this year’s edition, has developed an overall curatorial vision among both local and international participants.
Istanbul Congress Centre, Harbiye Mahallesi, Darülbedai Caddesi No 3, 34367 Şişli
Arter Museum Opening
This non-profit art centre has transformed into the game-changing Arter Museum designed by London’s Grimshaw Architects. Coinciding with the Istanbul Biennial, the new building opens on 13 September with seven concurrent exhibitions, including What Time Is It? curated from the Arter Collection by Emre Baykal and Eda Berkmen, which is themed around the concepts of memory, time and space. The impressive new space, a short distance from the House in the heart of Istanbul, is set to host performances and in-house events alongside its exhibitions.
Yenişehir, Irmak Cd. No 13, 34435 Beyoğlu
The 16th Istanbul Biennial runs from 14 September to 10 November 2019. To book a stay at Soho House Istanbul using your members or friends and family rate, click here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE HOUSE
In among the month’s usual packed schedule of DJ sets, restaurant takeovers and parties, the events programme at Soho House Istanbul partners with the 16th Istanbul Biennial embraces the city’s focus on art with talks, tours and workshops. Click on the events for more info and to book.
Wednesday 4 September, 7.30pm – Ylva Snöfrid's art rituals
Friday 6 September, 7.30pm – A conversation with Jared Madere
Thursday 12 September, 7.30pm – A conversation with Biennial curator Nicolas Bourriaud
Sunday 15 September, 5pm – A conversation with Ozan Atalan
Sunday 22 September, 11.50am – Exhibition tour: Pera Museum
Sunday 22 September, 2.50pm – Exhibition tour: Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum
Saturday 28 September, 11.50am – Exhibition tour: Pera Museum
Saturday 28 September, 2.50pm – Exhibition tour: Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum
House Trips, talks, exhibitions and screenings, all on the theme of art, will run parallel to our Biennial events at the House. Click on the events for more info and to book.
Friday 6 September, 6pm – Art talk with B3 Collection and Hera Büyüktaşçıyan
Saturday 7 September, 2pm – House Trip: Cengiz Yatağan Studio
Monday 9 September, 7pm – House Trip: ISTHMUS preview with José Parlá
Saturday 14 September, 11am – Art for Brunch
Monday 16 September, 7pm – House Trip: Ali Elmacı Studio
Tuesday 17 September, 7.30pm – Interactive storytelling: experiencing art through VR
Saturday 22 September, 4pm – Lost On The Highway exhibition: Day 1
Sunday 23 September, 4pm – Lost On The Highway exhibition: Day 2
Keep up to date with the full schedule here, or on the Soho House app.
The 16th Istanbul Biennial runs from 14 September to 10 November 2019. To book a stay at Soho House Istanbul using your members or friends and family rate, click here.