Istanbul Biennial curator resigns, ending 18th edition early; leadership changes in Israel and India

Christine Tohmé's unexpected resignation as curator of the 18th Istanbul Biennial has abruptly halted the event. Initially designed as a three-part series from 2025 to 2027, the biennial concluded after its first chapter, which ran from September to November 2025, and was well-attended. The 19th edition is now set for 2027. Meanwhile, in India, Bose Krishnamachari, the Mumbai-based artist, stepped down as president of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, which manages the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, citing urgent family matters. Additionally, in Jerusalem, Yasha Grobman has been appointed as the new director general of the Israel Museum, taking over from interim director Suzanne Landau, thus ending a lengthy period of leadership uncertainty since James Snyder's exit in 2016.