5th International Istanbul Biennial: On Life, Beauty, Translations and Other Difficulties

The 5th International Istanbul Biennial is the result of a desire to set up a fruitful and critical dialogue between contemporary artists and audiences from different parts of the world. Furthermore, it fulfills the purpose of establishing new links and collaborative networks between cultural institutions, creators, curators, critics and other art professionals.

The Istanbul Biennial aims to open up new modes of expression and an understanding of contemporary art through an exchange of ideas and experiences. By bringing together artists from different cultures, the Istanbul Biennial focuses on an interpretation of the latest trends and points of interest in contemporary art. It engaged us in an intellectual and emotional exercise, aiding our navigation through the complex world of uncertainties, in which we live today.

The city of Istanbul is a focus of vital energy set within a complex social context. Istanbul embodies all the contradictions and tensions of a megalopolis, which, at the end of twentieth century, is confronting the political tensions between globalisation and tradition.

Istanbul has been thought of as a metaphoric gate between East and West, between Asia and Europe. In this respect, the city's major gateways (airport, train stations and the Bosphorus bridge that connects Asia to Europe, the historic walls and old city gates) was used for specific events staged by the artists. Site-specific work aimed to reveal the urban network in a new way. The city of Istanbul is unique; therefore the Biennial could not be reduced to one exhibition presented at a specific venue. The walks through the city should become part of the exhibition's discourse. Moreover, special emphasis was laid on the connection between the arts and the city in the 5th International Istanbul Biennial.

While the Biennial aimed to bring out new ways of perceiving and creating art, it is also intended to explore alternatives in experiencing the city. The 5th International Istanbul Biennial thus became encounter, symposium, workshop - more of an all-embracing experience than just an exhibition.