Contemporary Istanbul fair attracts 38,500 visitors — Anadolu Agency

In Istanbul, Türkiye, 38,500 people visited the 21st international contemporary art fair Contemporary Istanbul over five days. As Anadolu Agency reports, according to the Contemporary Istanbul Art, Culture and Education Foundation, the number of international visitors increased by 50% compared with the previous edition of the fair.

Galleries from 16 countries

Seventy galleries from 16 countries took part in the fair, presenting 1,372 works by 736 artists. Twenty-two galleries joined Contemporary Istanbul for the first time. Guests included VIP visitors from 37 countries and representatives of 148 institutions.

The Focus Asia section featured galleries from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi and Singapore. The programme also included the Newcomers and New Grounds sections.

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Sculptures and students

At the historic former shipbuilding complex Tersane Istanbul, located along a two-kilometre waterfront on the northern shore of the Golden Horn in the Beyoğlu district, organisers created a route featuring 12 sculptures. It included works by Jaume Plensa, Arne Quinze, Bahadir Baruter, Bernar Venet, Ecem Yerman and Johnny Depp.

Oddviz's work “Istanbul City Walls” was added to the Istanbul Governorate's collection. Entry to the fair was free for university students, with 1,250 students taking part in the programme. More than 300 students from art high schools attended special tours organised by Akbank. In 2027, the 22nd Contemporary Istanbul will present Focus Germany, bringing together the art communities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Cologne with Türkiye's art scene.