The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has been organising the Istanbul Biennial since 1987. The biennial aims to create a meeting point in Istanbul, in the field of visual arts between artists from diverse cultures and the audience. The seventeen biennials İKSV has organised up to now have enabled the formation of an international cultural network between local and international art circles, artists, curators and art critics by bringing together new trends in contemporary art every two years.
Considered one of the most thought-provoking art events, the Istanbul Biennial embraces an exhibition model which encourages a dialogue between artists and the audience through the work of the artists instead of a national representation model. The curator, appointed by consulting to an international advisory board, develops a conceptual framework according to which a variety of artists and projects are invited to the exhibition.
The largest international art exhibition organised in the region, Istanbul Biennial plays a critical role in the continuation of a conversation between the local and international scene. Istanbul Biennial promotes knowledge and artistic production through the exhibition and alternative learning programmes and generates tangible and intangible spaces that bring together a wide range of visitors.
The opportunity to follow developments and discussions in the art world, and therefore a complimentary public programme is provided both for students and viewers of art through the exhibitions and panel discussions, conferences and workshops.
After the first two biennials realised under the general coordination of Beral Madra in 1987 and 1989, İKSV decided to adapt a single curator system following the Istanbul Biennial directed by Vasıf Kortun in 1992. The 4th, 5th, and 6th Istanbul Biennials were directed by Fulya Erdemci. Emre Baykal served as the general coordinator for the 7th and directed the 8th Istanbul Biennial. Çelenk Bafra managed the 9th, and directed the 10th Istanbul Biennial. Bige Örer held the directorship from the 11th to the 17th editions. Kevser Güler took over as biennial director starting with the preparations for the 18th Istanbul Biennial in 2024.
- 1987 "Contemporary Art in Traditional Spaces"
General Coordinator: Beral Madra - 1989 "Contemporary Art in Traditional Spaces"
General Coordinator: Beral Madra - 1992 "Production of Cultural Difference"
Director: Vasıf Kortun - 1995 "Orient-ation - The Image of Art in a Paradoxical World"
Curator: René Block - 1997 "On Life, Beauty, Translations and Other Difficulties"
Curator: Rosa Martinez - 1999 "The Passion and the Wave"
Curator: Paolo Colombo - 2001 "Egofugal - Fugue from Ego for the Next Emergence"
Curator: Yuko Hasegawa - 2003 "Poetic Justice"
Curator: Dan Cameron - 2005 "İstanbul"
Curators: Charles Esche and Vasıf Kortun - 2007 "Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War"
Curator: Hou Hanru - 2009 "What Keeps Mankind Alive?"
Curator: What, How & for Whom / WHW - 2011 "Untitled, (12th Istanbul Biennial), 2011"
Curator: Adriano Pedrosa and Jens Hoffmann - 2013 “Mom, am i barbarian?”
Curator: Fulya Erdemci - 2015 “SALTWATER: A Theory of Thought Forms”
Drafter: Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev - 2017 “a good neighbour”
Curators: Elmgreen & Dragset - 2019 “The Seventh Continent”
Curator: Nicolas Bourriaud - 2022 17th Istanbul Biennial
Curators: Ute Meta Bauer, Amar Kanwar ve David Teh
