19th Contemporary Istanbul Opens Amid Economic Challenges, Eyes 20th Edition

The historic Ottoman naval shipyards on the Golden Horn hosted the 19th edition of Contemporary Istanbul, Turkey's premier art fair, which commenced with Beyazıt Tower illuminated in blue. This year’s event showcased 53 galleries from 14 nations, highlighting Spain and Latin America. Returning for its fourth year, The Yard, an outdoor sculpture exhibition curated by Marc-Olivier Wahler from the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Geneva, embraced an animal theme, featuring notable pieces by Kazım Karakaya. The guest country program included a Spanish painting survey titled 'Born in the Seventies,' curated by Juan Manuel Bonet, and featured artists like Guillermo Mora and María Beltrán. Local galleries such as Pilevneli exhibited works by Ali Elmacı, while international representatives included Prague’s Trafo and Milan’s Galleria Studio G7. Despite challenges from inflation, many artworks were reasonably priced to attract younger collectors. The fair will continue until 27 October 2024, and next year’s 20th edition is set for a permanent slot in September, aligning with the Istanbul Biennial and a new Golden Horn art festival.