Kevser Güler Appointed Director of Istanbul Biennial Amid Controversy
Kevser Güler has been appointed as the new director of the Istanbul Biennial, taking over from Bige Örer, who resigned after a lengthy tenure of 15 years. Güler’s tenure begins on January 15, 2024, following her notable contributions to the arts, including a role as associate curator and participation in previous biennials. The 18th Istanbul Biennial is scheduled to take place from September 14 to November 17, 2024. Güler's appointment coincides with ongoing conversations regarding the biennial's future direction and Iwona Blazwick’s upcoming curation, which recently prompted an open letter advocating for enhancements to the event.
Key facts
- Kevser Güler appointed director of Istanbul Biennial.
- Previous director Bige Örer stepped down after 15 years on January 2, 2024.
- Güler worked with Istanbul Biennial from 2007 to 2014.
- Güler co-founded Cappadox Festival Contemporary Art Programme and was associate curator from 2015 to 2017.
- Güler researched Arter's collection from 2014 to 2019.
- Güler worked at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts from 2020 to 2021.
- Iwona Blazwick is curator of 2024 biennial, sparking controversy and an open letter in October 2023.
- Open forum on unethical art practices in Turkey on January 7, 2024, in Istanbul.
- Güler starts role on January 15, 2024.
- 18th Istanbul Biennial runs September 14–November 17, 2024.
Entities
Artists
- Kevser Güler
- Bige Örer
- Iwona Blazwick
- Kaya Genç
- Çağla Köseoğulları
- Hagop Ayvaz
- Deniz Gül
- Lale Müldür
- Defne Ayas
- Görgün Taner
Institutions
- Istanbul Biennial
- Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)
- Cappadox Festival Contemporary Art Programme
- Arter
- Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts
- ArtReview
- Cappadox Festival of Contemporary Art Programme
- Artİstanbul Feshane
- Sanatorium
- Karşı Sanat
- Kadir Has University
- Mişar Art
- Sanat Dünyamız
- SAHA Studio
- Lucy Art Residency
- Berlin Senate Visiting Artist Programme
- Cappadox Festival
- Ankara Queer Art Residency
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Koç Holding
- Artribune
Locations
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Ankara
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom