Contemporary Istanbul Completes Preparations for Its 21st Edition
Bringing together the international art world, Contemporary Istanbul will welcome art enthusiasts this year with 70 galleries from 24 countries and a rich event program.
The 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul will take place from September 23-27 at Tersane Istanbul, with Akbank as the main partner. This year, the fair will host 70 contemporary art galleries from 24 countries, with 22 galleries coming to Istanbul for the first time.
International Participation and New Galleries
The fair will be held this year with the participation of 70 contemporary art galleries from 24 countries, and 22 galleries will come to Istanbul for the first time. Within the scope of the organization, guests from 37 different countries will be hosted.
In cooperation with Turkish Airlines, the cargo capacity provided for the transport of international galleries' artworks has been increased to 40 tons this year.
Focus Asia and Special Sections
The program will feature three different sections: Newcomers, New Grounds dedicated to galleries established in the last 5 years, and Focus Asia focusing on Asian art.
The Focus Asia section will bring together galleries, artists, and culture professionals from different art centers of Asia in Istanbul.
Exhibitions and Public Space Installations
Curated by Prof. Dr. Hasan Bülent Kahraman, the exhibition Something Strange is Happening is among the standout projects of the fair.
Jaume Plensa's first public space installation in Istanbul, Juana, and large-scale installations will be spread across Tersane Istanbul.
Legislation and Tax Regulations
Stating that the 20 percent VAT rate applied to works of art is high compared to international markets, Ali Güreli argued that changes need to be made.
Expressing that radical measures should be taken to pave the way for the development of art, Güreli hopes that the issue will be brought back to the agenda at the beginning of 2027.
Past Balance Sheet and Future Goals
To date, Contemporary Istanbul has brought together more than 1 million 250 thousand visitors, 11 thousand artists, and over 1,650 galleries within the same structure.
The international focus of the fair for next year is planned to be Germany, with the goal of inviting institutions from Berlin and other cities.
Transportation and Visitor Information
Admission tickets for Contemporary Istanbul will only be available for online purchase, and various transportation conveniences will be provided for visitors.
In addition to free boat services for transportation to Tersane Istanbul, free shuttle services connected to the metro will also be organized.