The cooler autumn months are perfect to explore this vibrant and welcoming city. And, as Istanbul prepares to celebrate as a European Capital of Culture in 2010, it could have no better forerunner than the Istanbul Biennial, this year entitled 'What Keeps Mankind Alive?' (from The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht).
The 11th International Istanbul Biennial is now underway and will continue until 8 November. Istanbul has offered many unusual venues for past biennials, from an Ottoman-era cannon foundry, to the banks of the Bosphorus that became an open-air studio for visiting sculptors. During the 11th Biennial a redundant school, the Feriky Greek School, will be used for an arts venue for the first time. Two of the three main venues are in Tophane and a ring shuttle service will link Antrepo No 3 in Tophane with Feriky Greek School in Sisli. An akbil (automatic travel pass) that can be recharged at manned kiosks or automatic machines throughout the city will prove invaluable for convenient travelling between venues and can be used on all forms of public transport, including the stately but functional ferry boats.
A number of parallel events in the city will coincide with the 11th Biennial, among them Site at Istanbul Modern, featuring the work of Istanbul-born contemporary artist Sarkis. A comparative newcomer to the ranks of Istanbuls fine museums, the Pera Museum in Beyoglu, will be hosting Octet: Selected Works from School of Visual Arts, New York. The panoply of events scheduled includes video screenings, photographic exhibitions, pop-up galleries, installations and performances. For a comprehensive list of parallel events please see the links below.
iksv.org/bienal11
istanbulmodern.org/
en.peramuzesi.org.tr/
akbanksanat.com/calendar-of-events/
en.istanbul2010.org/
