18th Istanbul Biennial to Unfold Over Three Years Starting September 2025
The 18th Istanbul Biennial, titled 'The Three-Legged Cat' and curated by Christine Tohmé, is scheduled to unfold over three years from 2025 to 2027. The initial phase will occur from 20 September to 23 November 2025, utilizing eight venues along the Beyoğlu-Karaköy corridor, all within walking distance and offering free admission. The second phase in 2026 aims to create an academy and partner with local organizations for public programs, while the final phase in 2027 will showcase exhibitions and workshops. The first phase will highlight themes of self-preservation and futurity, featuring 47 international artists. Key venues include Galata Greek School and Elhamra Han. The opening week will present performances, film screenings, and DJ sets, with notable works like Selma Selman's 'Motherboards' and films by Maxime Hourani. Zihni Han Floor Two will serve as a gathering hub with a library. A children's book, 'Optigull and Pesigull: The Map of Lost Sounds,' will be distributed for free. The event is organized by İKSV, supported by Koç Holding.
Key facts
- The 18th Istanbul Biennial is curated by Christine Tohmé and titled 'The Three-Legged Cat'.
- The biennial unfolds over three years: 2025, 2026, and 2027.
- The first leg runs from 20 September to 23 November 2025.
- Admission is free at all eight venues.
- 47 artists from around the world participate in the first leg.
- Venues are along the Beyoğlu-Karaköy axis in Istanbul.
- The opening week includes performances, film screenings, and DJ sets.
- A children's book 'Optigull and Pesigull: The Map of Lost Sounds' will be available free of charge.
Entities
Artists
- Christine Tohmé
- Nolan Oswald Dennis
- İpek Duben
- Ali Eyal
- Simone Fattal
- Lou Fauroux
- Lungiswa Gqunta
- Kongkee
- Seta Manoukian
- Merve Mepa
- Naomi Rincón-Gallardo
- Ana Vaz
- Akram Zaatari
- Ayman Zedani
- Abdullah Al Saadi
- Willy Aractingi
- Karimah Ashadu
- Chen Ching-Yuan
- Ian Davis
- Celina Eceiza
- Pélagie Gbaguidi
- Rafik Greiss
- Jasleen Kaur
- Valentin Noujaïm
- Marwan Rechmaoui
- Stéphanie Saadé
- Sara Sadik
- Sohail Salem
- Elif Saydam
- Selma Selman
- Haig Aivazian
- Ola Hassanain
- Mona Marzouk
- Dilek Winchester
- Doruntina Kastrati
- Claudia Pagès Rabal
- Eva Fàbregas
- Pilar Quinteros
- VASSOS (Vassilis Noulas & Kostas Tzimoulis)
- Khalil Rabah
- Mona Benyamin
- Şafak Şule Kemancı
- Jagdeep Raina
- Riar Rizaldi
- Lara Saab
- Natasha Tontey
- Sevil Tunaboylu
- Alex Baczyński-Jenkins
- Ahmad Ghossein
- Maxime Hourani
- Samar Al Summary
- Lawrence Abu Hamdan
- Suneil Sanzgiri
- Sita Valles
- Jtamul
- Urok Shirhan
- GLVRE
- LOKA
- Yekta Kopan
- Gökçe Akgül
- Burcu Ural Kopan
- Ana Alenso
- VASKOS
- Defne Ayas
- Iwona Blazwick
- Kevser Güler
- Claudia Pagès
- Rabal
- Krzysztof Bagiński
- Ronald Berger
- Ewa Dziarnowska
- Meho Huskić
- Rafal Pierzynski
- Muhamed Selman
- Sigrid Stigsdatter Mathiassen
- Annette Meier
Institutions
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)
- Koç Holding
- Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
- Arter
- PACE Kids Art Center
- Hisar School
- Sfeir-Semler Gallery
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Istanbul Biennial
- Canvas
- ArtAsiaPacific
- Galata Greek School
- Zihni Han
- Muradiye Han
- Galeri 77
- Cone Factory
- Meclis-i Mebusan 35
- Elhamra Han
- Artribune
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Beyoğlu
- Karaköy
- Galata Greek School
- Zihni Han
- Muradiye Han
- Galeri 77
- Cone Factory
- Meclis-i Mebusan 35
- Garden of the Former French Orphanage
- Elhamra Han
- Mount Lebanon
- Lebanon
- Arizona
- USA
- Mexico
- India
- Africa
- Angola
- Beirut
- Khor Fakkan
- United Arab Emirates
- Caracas
- Venezuela
- New York
- United States
- Barcelona
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom
- Haifa
- Israel
- Tainan
- Taiwan
- Indianapolis
- Lusaka
- Zambia
- Tandil
- Argentina
- Baghdad
- Iraq
- Damascus
- Syria
- Mulhouse
- France
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Gqeberha
- South Africa
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Khartoum
- Sudan
- Prizren
- Kosovo
- Glasgow
- Sarawak
- Malaysia
- Alexandria
- Kocaeli
- Angers
- Santiago
- Chile
- Jerusalem
- Guelph
- Canada
- North Carolina
- Bandung
- Indonesia
- Montreal
- Bordeaux
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Calgary
- Bihać
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Minahasa
- Brasília
- Brazil
- Saida
- Abha
- Saudi Arabia
- Venice