The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) will host the 18th edition of the Istanbul Biennial in 2025, marking a transformative milestone in the international art world. As one of the most significant contemporary art events bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the 2025 Biennial promises to redefine cultural discourse through an unprecedented preparatory process, collaborative curatorial practices, and boundary-pushing installations across Istanbul’s diverse urban landscape.
The Istanbul Biennial has long been one of my favorite events in the city. It’s not just an art exhibition—it’s an invitation to discover parts of Istanbul you might never have explored otherwise, while also encountering new artistic expressions that might just surprise you.
Last time, I was particularly impressed by the Merkez Rum Girls’ High School (Central Greek High School for Girls), as it was my first time visiting. I also explored several museums and art galleries, but one of the most intriguing experiences was the Cyclope—an old tunnel equipped with a sound system that simulates the heavy footsteps of an approaching giant Cyclope, from Carlo Casas.
Concept
It’s been three years since the last edition, and the much-anticipated 18th Istanbul Biennial, originally scheduled for September 14, 2024, was postponed by a year. The reason? The lead curator resigned, and the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) cited “undesired divisions in art circles” as the reason for the delay. Controversy followed, including criticism of the decision to appoint Iwona Blazwick—a member of the curatorial selection committee—as curator, while Defne Ayas’s curatorial proposal was rejected.
That was disappointing news at the time, but as we all know, a year passes quickly—and now, the Biennial is back, with a fresh approach and a curious title: “The Three-Legged Cat.”
I wondered what it meant, too. It turns out that this Biennial is structured as a three-legged event unfolding over the next two years:
- First leg: September 20 – November 23, 2025
- Second leg: Throughout 2026
- Third leg: September 18 – November 14, 2027
Curated by Christine Tohmé, this year’s Biennial embraces a slower, more stretched-out rhythm—almost feline in nature. Rather than a single blockbuster event, it unfolds gradually: the first leg features an exhibition with over 40 artists, plus performances, screenings, and talks focused on self-preservation and futurity.
The second leg in 2026 will focus on creating an academy and engaging with local initiatives through a series of public programs. Finally, in 2027, the Biennial’s third leg will act as a space to pause, reflect, and bring together all that has emerged over the previous two years in a culminating round of exhibitions and workshops.
It’s an ambitious and experimental format—and I’m genuinely excited to see how it all unfolds.
The Framework of Christine Tohmé
So, what exactly is lead curator Christine Tohmé bringing to the table? As a Lebanese curator, Christine comes from a region deeply familiar with conflict and instability, an experience that inevitably shapes her perspective and curatorial approach.
The framework proposed by Tohmé and the long lead-up to this edition of the Biennial did not come easily. She arrived at the Istanbul Biennial after a period of personal struggle, even questioning, “Why am I doing this?” The development of this context was far from straightforward.
At a time when cultural institutions around the world are increasingly aligning with the right on the issue of Palestine, the fact that the Istanbul Biennial acknowledges the genocide in Palestine is not a virtue—it is simply the bare minimum. Not doing so would be the real problem. Still, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the Biennial’s refusal to adopt a “neutral” stance under the pressure of the global art world.
We deserve to see in the Istanbul Biennial the artists and collectives who have maintained their stance, dared to create bold work, and as a result have been ignored or rendered invisible in their regions and on the global contemporary art stage.
This commitment must go beyond a conceptual statement. Christine Tohmé proposes a three-phase, multi-year program for the Biennial. In its second phase, planned for 2026, there is an ambitious goal to establish an academy and collaborate with local initiatives to develop a series of public programs. Inspired by models like the academy in Beirut, this approach envisions a Biennial that’s not limited to presentations and exhibitions but also seeks to build a pedagogical framework.
This, in a sense, could be seen as a response to the what is happening in the middle east.
A Transformative Curatorial Model for the 2025 Istanbul Biennial
Unlike previous iterations, the 2025 Istanbul Biennial introduces a multi-phase curatorial approach. This edition departs from the tradition of appointing a single curator and instead adopts a collective curatorial platform, inviting multiple voices to shape the biennial thematically and spatially over time. This strategy enhances flexibility, responsiveness, and inclusivity—key characteristics demanded by today’s evolving cultural ecosystems.
Key features of the curatorial shift:
- Elimination of the traditional singular curatorial figure
- Introduction of a multi-phase, evolving thematic approach
- Emphasis on long-term research and community engagement
- Inclusion of transdisciplinary contributors from various global contexts
Timeline and Structure of the 18th Istanbul Biennial
To reflect its pioneering format, the 2025 Biennial will unfold over an extended, adaptive timeline with several key phases. The first phase will take place from September 20 to November 23, 2025. Throughout 2026, a series of events and collaborations will be held across multiple venues. The Biennial will conclude with its final phase from September 18 to November 14, 2027.
Venues Across Istanbul: A City-Wide Artistic Landscape
The 2025 Istanbul Biennial will unfold across a rich tapestry of venues, extending the city itself into an immersive exhibition space. From Ottoman-era architectural marvels to post-industrial sites and urban public zones, Istanbul becomes a living canvas for contemporary thought and experimentation.
Expected Key Venues:
- Istanbul Modern – The new building designed by Renzo Piano will anchor contemporary visual narratives.
- Pera Museum – Hosting contextual exhibitions tied to cultural memory.
- Küçük Mustafa Paşa Hammam – A site of historical intimacy and transformation.
- Beyoğlu Streets and Courtyards – Public art interventions encouraging urban participation.
This spatial diversity encourages not just aesthetic exploration but also social, political, and ecological critique embedded within place-based contexts.
Thematic Anchors: Ecology, Resistance, and Transcultural Dialogue
The upcoming biennial aims to explore urgent global themes through hyperlocal lenses. While the curatorial framework is fluid and still in development, early insight suggests a thematic constellation around:
- Ecological Entanglements: Responding to climate urgencies through regenerative artistic practices.
- Forms of Resistance: Showcasing art as political expression and community empowerment.
- Transcultural Narratives: Emphasizing connections across diasporas, languages, and histories.
Each theme will unfold through installations, performances, film screenings, sound-based experiences, and interactive projects that blur boundaries between disciplines.
Open Call: Participatory and Decentralized Engagement
In line with its democratic curatorial approach, the Biennial launched an Open Call for Artistic Proposals in late 2024. Artists, collectives, researchers, and hybrid practitioners are encouraged to submit ideas that align with the biennial’s relational, process-oriented vision.
Selection Criteria Include:
- Relevance to proposed curatorial questions
- Innovation in form and content
- Capacity for community interaction or urban integration
- Cross-border or cross-disciplinary potential
This inclusive mechanism ensures the biennial reflects a mosaic of voices, beyond the confines of conventional art circuits.
Education, Public Programming, and Legacy
The 2025 Istanbul Biennial will place a renewed focus on education and long-term legacy, offering a series of:
- Public conversations with curators, philosophers, and city planners
- Youth-oriented workshops and artistic residencies
- Digital archives and open-access publishing initiatives
- Partnerships with universities and local municipalities
The intention is not just to create an exhibition, but to plant ideas that endure beyond 2025, fostering artistic ecologies within and beyond Istanbul.
International Significance and Cultural Diplomacy
Celebrated for its geopolitical positioning, the Istanbul Biennial operates at the intersection of continents, ideologies, and aesthetics. Its 2025 edition is poised to strengthen Istanbul’s role as a cultural mediator and innovator. This is drawing global audiences, critics, curators, collectors, and cultural thinkers into dialogue.
We anticipate participation from over 40 countries. With contributions ranging from emerging voices in the Global South to established names in conceptual and environmental art.
Summary: Why the 18th Istanbul Biennial 2025 Matters
- A curatorial revolution through participatory, evolving, and collaborative frameworks
- City-wide immersion across historical and contemporary venues
- Global themes of urgency addressed through experimental and interactive formats
- Educational and social impact designed to activate public discourse and legacy
- A model for future biennials that challenge institutional norms and expand access
As we approach 2025, the Istanbul Biennial positions itself not merely as an event. It is a movement for inclusive cultural transformation.
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FAQs about 18th Istanbul Biennial
What is the Istanbul Biennial?
The Istanbul Biennial is a leading international exhibition of contemporary art, organized every two years by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV). It brings together artists, curators, and thinkers from around the world to engage with global themes through artistic expression across Istanbul.
When will the 18th Istanbul Biennial take place?
The 18th Istanbul Biennial will officially open in September 2025, with several pre-biennial events, research programs, and public engagements leading up to it throughout 2024 and early 2025.
Who is curating the 2025 edition?
Rather than a single curator, the 18th edition will feature a collective curatorial process led by Lebanese curator Christine Tohmé and supported by a network of collaborators from various disciplines and geographies.
What is unique about this year’s biennial?
The 2025 edition introduces a new curatorial model focused on long-term research, decentralized collaboration, and active public participation. It emphasizes dialogue, experimentation, and transdisciplinary engagement over fixed themes.
Where will the biennial be held?
The biennial will span multiple venues across Istanbul, including museums, historic buildings, urban spaces, and non-traditional sites.
Is there an open call for artists?
Yes. The 18th Istanbul Biennial includes an open call for proposals, inviting artists, researchers, and collectives to contribute to the evolving structure of the biennial. Submissions are evaluated based on innovation, relevance, and community engagement.
How can I attend the biennial?
General admission information, venue schedules, and ticketing details will be announced in mid-2025 on the official IKSV Biennial website. Many exhibitions and public events are free or open with a pass.
Will there be guided tours or educational programs?
Yes. The biennial will offer guided tours, artist talks, youth workshops, and panel discussions as part of its public programming to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Is the biennial accessible to international visitors?
Absolutely. The biennial features multilingual content, international press coverage, and a strong digital presence, making it accessible to both local and global audiences. Travel and accommodation tips will also be available on the official site.
