Curator Nicolas Bourriaud Compares 16th Istanbul Biennial to Herzog's Fitzcarraldo Amid Relocation and Ecological Themes

The 16th Istanbul Biennial, named 'The Seventh Continent' and curated by Nicolas Bourriaud, commenced with the unexpected transfer of over 40 projects from the asbestos-laden Istanbul Shipyards to a waterfront warehouse that is being converted into the Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture. Bourriaud controversially likened the exhibition to Werner Herzog's 1982 film Fitzcarraldo, emphasizing its themes of ecological disaster and the effects of capitalism, epitomized by the Pacific's plastic island. Featured works included Dora Budor's Origin III (Snow Storm) (2019), which used environmental sounds to create colored dust bursts, and Eva Koťátková's Machine for Restoring Empathy (2019), a sewing workshop addressing recycling and identity. Jonathas De Andrade's O Peixe (2016) showcased Amazonian fishermen, while Hale Tenger's Appearance (2019) on Büyükada Island presented a sound installation with mirrored obsidian sculptures. The Pera Museum exhibited fictional artifacts from Norman Daly's LIhuroscian civilization, alongside contributions from Agnieszka Kurant, Suzanne Husky, Deniz Aktaş, Korakrit Arunanondchai, and Charles Avery. Critics pointed out the absence of a unified curatorial vision, despite the exploration of Anthropocene themes and the interplay between nature and culture, with some pieces appearing disconnected from pressing ecological realities. The biennial continued until 10 November 2019 at multiple locations throughout Istanbul.