September 14–17, 2017
Preview day: September 13
Contemporary Istanbul
Istanbul Congress Center /
Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center
Turkey
contemporaryistanbul.com
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Contemporary Istanbul (CI) international art fair brings both regional and international focus to the dynamic art scene in Turkey’s vibrant metropolis every year. Thanks to the art created and exhibited in this spectacular city, Istanbul is renowned for its contemporary art scene.
For the last 11 years, CI has been a showcase for art from across the globe. Paying particular attention to Turkish contemporary art, which is incorporated in Istanbul’s spirit, CI hosts the contemporary art of the entire region, positioning Istanbul as its hub. The second week of September 2017 will feature the prominent exhibitions of leading cultural institutions and major contemporary art galleries forming a unique visual art scene within the city.
This year, CI will bring 73 galleries from 25 cities across more than 20 countries presenting 1500 artworks, including 27 galleries that are participating for the first time, selected by CI Selection Committee.
For the full gallery list, please visit contemporaryistanbul.com
New for 2017 is a revised fair design by the award-winning architects Tabanlıoğlu Architects who will create a unique CI Park with particular emphasis on public spaces and open air areas. The fair will also feature a new sculpture exhibition The Fifth Element at the neighbouring Artists’ Park, curated by Prof. Hasan Bülent Kahraman. Participating artists include: Magdalena Abakanowicz, Erdağ Aksel, Tony Cragg, Wim Delvoye, Osman Dinç, Jan Fabre, Genco Gülan, Jannis Kounellis, Günnür Özsoy, Johan Tahon, and many prominent others.
In its fifth year, Plugin is dedicated to new media art at the intersection of science and technology. Sponsored by Siemens Home Appliances, the Plugin section’s curated exhibition titled Natura Nova will present new media art examining conceptions of space, time and culture and the impact that digital technology has wrought, also aiming to speculate and envisage what the future may hold. Participating artists of future-friendly extension of CI include: Felix Luque, Memo Akten, Onformative, Ryoichi Kurokawa, Semiconductor, Joanie Lemercier, Lia, Field, Sougwen Chung, İdil İlkin, Aziz + Cucher, Quayola.
This year’s CI Dialogues, the fair’s discussion and talk series, will mainly focus on the topic of “Movement” from the artistic perspective. It will discuss the topic in relation to different disciplines that constitute the core of human life, such as technology, architecture, space, and food. The conference program will be held on Thursday, 14th and Friday, 15th of September at its new space, an open forum area.
Contemporary Istanbul celebrates its 12th year with CI Publications’ first book Collectors’ Stories, published with the support of Barbaros Reserve Residences Bodrum following the successful exhibition in 2016. The Collectors’ Stories book will be an invaluable guide for the next generation of art collectors and art lovers. It will be distributed across leading art organizations and institutions worldwide.
BMW’s official distributor in Turkey, Borusan Otomotiv co-sponsors CI for the first time for its 12th edition. Borusan Otomotiv will exhibit the 12th BMW Art Car created in 1991 by South African artist Ester Mahlangu at the fair. The BMW Art Car Project dates back to 1975 when French racing driver and auctioneer Hervé Poulain wanted to invite an artist to create a canvas on a car. Born in South Africa in 1936, Esther Mahlangu is known for her brightly coloured paintings and murals in the Ndebele tradition.
With the support of Akbank, CI will take place from September 14 to September 17 at the Istanbul Congress Center and Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center. Associate sponsors are Ferko and Yıldız Holding.
For all press inquiries contact Pelham Communications
Tefkros Christou, tefkros [at] pelhamcommunications.com
Eleanor Gibson, eleanor [at] pelhamcommunications.com
T +44 (0)20 8969 3959
