Contemporary Istanbul 2021

Contemporary Istanbul is opening its doors with a new date at the Rumeli Hall of the Lutfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center!

Contemporary Istanbul’s 15th edition, sponsored by Akbank, will be launched with a VIP Preview on June 1 to 2 followed by General Admission between June 3 to 6 at the Rumeli Hall of the Lutfi Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Center. The new dates have been set in view of the measures taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Contemporary Istanbul has revised the date of its 15th edition to June 1 – 6. This edition has been designed to feature leading art galleries in Turkey. Contemporary Istanbul, sponsored by Akbank, is opening its doors with its June 1 to 2 VIP Preview and June 3 to 6 General Admission days to showcase the Turkish art market and to support the artists.

In its 15th edition, Contemporary Istanbul aims to provide a sustainable art environment by collaborating solely with Turkey’s leading art galleries and institutions. Under the Regulations of the Ministry of Health and in order to safeguard the health and safety of the participants and visitors, all admissions to Contemporary Istanbul will be subject to the checking of the HES code and of the body temperature measurement. The fair will be held in abidance of hygiene guidelines and social distancing rules in line with the measures taken against COVID-19.

As a result of the meetings with the participant galleries and contemporary Istanbul Advisory Board members during the pandemic period, Contemporary Istanbul has structured the new edition to jumpstart the art market with its programs, performances and Plugin Istanbul Section where it showcases new art.

Contemporary Istanbul

New 15th Contemporary Istanbul Program:

1-2 June VIP Preview

3-6 June General Admission

3-6 June VIP cardholders will have access throughout the fair between 11:00 – 13:00

On June 1-2, “Artist Day” will be held for two days with the staging of contemporary art performances, solo exhibitions and the participation of the exhibited artists. Each gallery will invite selected artists to bring them together with collectors.

Plugin: “Post-“ Theme

The Plugin section, curated by Esra Özkan, brings together the innovations of new media art. The exhibition under the theme of “post-” questions the flow in human-machine communication, artificial intelligence, post-human discussions, digital characters, different approaches of intertwined and separated new media, and production methods such as bio-art. Celebrating it’s 8th year, Plugin is sponsored by Siemens Home Appliances.

The digital and new media art Plugin Section’s artists are as follows:

Aypera, Ahmet Rüstem, Can Büyükberber, Ece Gözen, Enes Özenbaş & Ethem Cem, Güvenç Özel, Hakan Sorar, Sofia Crespo H.o, Mert Kızılay& Hakan Gündüz, Maxim Zhestkov, Mario Klingemann, Murat Yıldırım, Onur Sönmez, Selin Balcı, Void and Yonca Karakaş.

Contemporary Istanbul

For over 15 years Contemporary Istanbul has been supported by its main sponsor Akbank. Other sponsors of Contemporary Istanbul are Siemens Home Appliances, and Turkish Airlines, the largest airline company in the world which flies to the highest number of destinations in the world.

For further information on the fair and ticket sales please visit contemporaryistanbul.com

About Akbank

Akbank, has been supporting Contemporary Istanbul, which for over 15 years has contributed greatly to the development of art in our country. Akbank has been carrying out many important projects in the field of arts and culture throughout the years. Akbank has been promoting projects that add value to society and prioritizes development, change and innovation in all fields og human endeavor. With these projects, Akbank aims to preserve local and universal heritage and transfer it to future generations, for it to reach thousands of art lovers. Contemporary Istanbul, which introduces contemporary art to wider constituencies and occupies a primary position in the culture and art agenda has become, thanks to the main sponsorship of Akbank, a contemporary art event of global resonance. Akbank will continue to support Contemporary Istanbul, which is closely followed by art circles.

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