ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 15TH ISTANBUL BIENNIAL
a good neighbour
16 September – 12 November 2017
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has announced the list of artists,duos, and collectives that will take part in the 15th edition of the Istanbul Biennial.
The 15th Istanbul Biennial, entitled a good neighbour and curated by artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset, reveals the participating artists of this year’s edition, which takes place from 16 September to 12 November 2017. Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by Koç Holding, the 15th Istanbul Biennial brings together artworks by 55 artists from 32 countries, all addressing different notions of home, belonging and neighbourhood. The biennial takes place in six neighbouring venues: Istanbul Modern, Galata Greek Primary School, Ark Kültür, Pera Museum, Yoğunluk Atelier, and Küçük Mustafa Paşa Hammam.
“Your neighbour might be someone who lives quite a different life from yours. And hopefully you, unlike many politicians lately, are not the one who chooses to deal with your fear of otherness by fencing yourself off. The artists in the 15th Istanbul Biennial raise questions about ideas of home, neighbourhood, belonging and co-existence from multiple perspectives. Some of the artworks examine how our domestic living conditions and modes have changed and how our neighbourhoods have transformed, while others focus on how we cope with today’s geopolitical challenges on a micro-level. The Biennial takes its form from the invited artists’ personal or analytical statements: an engaging mixture of hopes and visions, of sadness and indignation, of history and present day.” Elmgreen & Dragset, curators of the 15th Istanbul Biennial.
The 15th Istanbul Biennial’s Public Programme
In addition to the two-month-long exhibition, the 15th Istanbul Biennial also features a Public Programme coordinated by artist Zeyno Pekünlü that encompasses a variety of events and discussions related to the concept of “a good neighbour”.
Without neglecting the burden of history and the immediacy of actuality, the Public Programme focuses on the shared questions that led to a number of important debates in recent years. During the opening and closing weeks of the Biennial, it features symposiums with thought-provoking speakers such as activist and professor Shahrzad
Mojab, recognised for her research on the impact of war, displacement and violence on women’s learning and education; professor Joseph Massad, known for his criticism of liberal policies related to multiculturalism; professor of political economy Massimo de Angelis; and architect and scholar Stavros Stavrides, whose work focuses on spatial practices. Entitled Chosen Families, the first trails the quest for different kinds of belongings beyond family as an institution.
The second, Mutual Fate focuses on urban ecology and strives for finding ways out of anthropocentrism. With panel discussions, screenings, workshops and regular events throughout the Biennial, participants can be found cooking, reading and playing music together. Admission to all Public Programme events is free.
The 15th Istanbul Biennial – a good neighbour
The 15th edition of the Istanbul Biennial, entitled a good neighbour, is organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV). The Biennial is made possible thanks to sponsor Koç Holding, with the patronage of several other supporters, international funders and funding bodies. It takes place from 16 September to 12 November 2017 and access to exhibitions and programming is free of charge.
Instead of a statement, the curators, artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset, developed 40 questions that have guided the process of making the exhibition. These questions were first presented live in Istanbul by 40 performers of different ages, genders and backgrounds in December 2016, and were shared on the Biennial’s website and social media accounts.
Istanbul Modern
