The 18th Istanbul Biennial begins on September 20

The 18th Istanbul Biennial , titled "Three-Legged Cat," organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) with the support of Koç Holding, the 2007–2036 Biennial Sponsor, will open its doors on September 20. Preparations for the biennial, curated by Christine Tohmé, are in full swing.

The first leg of the 18th Istanbul Biennial , designed over three years, will be open to visitors free of charge from September 20 to November 23, 2025. In this first leg, works by 47 artists from around the world will be exhibited in venues intertwined with Istanbul's historical and dynamic landscape. In addition to exhibitions, the Biennial will be enriched by a public program featuring live performances, film screenings, and talks.

Curated by Christine Tohmé, the 18th Istanbul Biennial is preparing to greet its audience with a structure that transcends conventional biennial formats and spans three years. The first leg of this edition, titled " Three-Legged Cat ," is shaped around the themes of " self-preservation " and " future possibilities ." Opening on September 20, 2025, the biennial will showcase works by 47 artists from over 30 countries . The biennial will continue with its second and third legs in 2026 and 2027.

The conceptual framework text written by Christine Tohmé can be accessed here .

The first leg of the 18th Istanbul Biennial is preparing to open on September 20th at venues selected in line with the conceptual framework developed by curator Christine Tohmé. Located within walking distance of each other along the Beyoğlu-Karaköy line , eight venues, some hosting the biennial for the first time, will offer viewers the opportunity to explore both the exhibitions and the city.

The Galata Greek School , familiar to biennial audiences from previous editions, is preparing to welcome biennial audiences again this year with a wide selection. Zihni Han, a key stop in the commercial and artisanal life of the period and specially renovated for the biennial, stands out as a notable stop on the Karaköy route. The ground floor of building number 35 on Meclis-i Mebusan Street has been repurposed as the biennial venue, while Muradiye Han, distinguished by its historical texture, and Gallery 77 , located directly opposite, await biennial visitors. The Cone Factory , once a producer of ice cream cones, now opens its doors to the public as an exhibition space. The Garden of the Former French Orphanage serves as a respite along the exhibition route and also hosts an installation within the biennial. The Elhamra Han on İstiklal Street, in the heart of Beyoğlu, greets the audience as the biennial's stop.

Details of the 18th Istanbul Biennial venues can be foundhere. accessible.

The artists invited to the 18th Istanbul Biennial were selected following a comprehensive research process that included workshop visits, artist meetings, and an evaluation of submissions submitted to an open call held between October 31 and December 15, 2024. The biennial, which features 47 artists from over 30 countries, will also feature works by six artists from Türkiye.

For the full list of participating artists: bienal.iksv.org/tr/sanatcilar

The guided tour program of the 18th Istanbul Biennial will offer visitors the opportunity to explore the biennial exhibitions with expert guides who have completed their training with the support of Koç Holding, the 2007–2036 Biennial Sponsor.

In addition to single-venue tours of the biennial's two largest venues , the Galata Greek School and Zihni Han , audiences will also be able to participate in four-venue route tours, where exhibitions in different venues can be explored along two separate walking routes.

Detailed information about guided tours can be found at this address .

During the 18th Istanbul Biennial, Accessible Biennial Tours will be held at the Galata Greek School and Zihni Han, sponsored by DenizBank, İKSV 's Accessible Art Partner , and in consultation with the Accessible Everything Association . These tours will offer an accessible biennial experience with audio descriptions for individuals with visual impairments and sign language interpretation for individuals who are deaf.

The biennial will also feature refugee tours, organized under the guidance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners. The tour program, designed with consideration for social integration principles and exhibition content that may be sensitive to forcibly displaced people, will be narrated in Turkish and will be available with interpreters if needed. Admission to the tours, which will be held every Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Galata Greek School, will be free.

The Biennial Learning Program, supported by Koç Holding and run in collaboration with the PACE Children's Art Center, will offer children and young people the opportunity to explore the biennial's works and create their own artwork. The program, comprised of two parts: exhibition exploration and a workshop, aims to enable participants to upcycle objects they bring, inspired by the artists, into three-dimensional artworks.

Details and the reservation form for the free program at Galata Greek School can be found here .

The first leg of the 18th Istanbul Biennial will take place from September 20 to November 23, 2025. Press previews will be held from September 16 to 19, 2025 , while professional previews will be held from September 18 to 19, 2025. While entrance to the biennial venues during preview days will be provided via QR codes, starting from September 20, audiences will be able to enter the venues free of charge, without registration.

The 18th Istanbul Biennial is free to visit at all venues, every day except Mondays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Exhibitions will also be open to visitors on Monday, September 22, for the opening week.

For more information: biennial.iksv.org