Elmgreen & Dragset urged to resign from Istanbul Biennial amid Turkey crackdown

A debate has erupted on social media over whether artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset should resign as artistic directors of the Istanbul Biennial following the Turkish government's crackdown after the failed July 15 coup. The question was posed by Alessandra Mammì, a journalist for L'Espresso and curator, sparking immediate discussion in the art world. The duo was appointed by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts in April for the 2017 edition, which is scheduled to open months after the Venice Biennale. Critics note that Elmgreen & Dragset have never shown a political vocation, raising questions about whether they should take a stand. The broader issues include whether invited artists will participate or withdraw, whether they can express themselves freely, and whether the art world can remain apolitical amid democratic emergencies and human rights violations, including the dismissal of 6,500 academics. The duo has participated in numerous biennials, including Istanbul, Liverpool, Singapore, Moscow, Venice, Gwangju, São Paulo, and Berlin.