Newsletters
In a moment when global art is increasingly shaped by political strain and technological disruption, Istanbul’s flagship contemporary exhibition has turned to two internationally engaged curators to define its next chapter.
The organizers of the Istanbul Biennial announced that artist Liu Ding and art historian Carol Yinghua Lu will lead the 19th edition, scheduled to run from Sept. 18 to Nov. 14, 2027.
According to the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), the biennial will be open to the public free of charge, continuing its long-standing model of accessibility.
In a joint statement, Liu and Lu framed their curatorial approach around the role of art in a world marked by technological acceleration and political volatility.
They said they aim to reclaim “the possibilities of individual action,” emphasizing a need to confront present-day realities while restoring both critical strength and what they described as the “sensory grandeur” of artistic production.
“Our aim is to create a space where an independent and resilient future for artistic production is not only imagined but can also be built,” they said.
Liu Ding’s work engages with both historical and contemporary perspectives, often interrogating how narratives are constructed and understood.
Carol Yinghua Lu, director of the Inside-Out Art Museum in Beijing, has served on juries for multiple international art awards, positioning her within a wide global network of contemporary art institutions.
Further details, including the biennial’s title, conceptual framework, and venues, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
