New Leadership for the Istanbul Biennial
By Camilla Alvarez Chow
Portrait of KEVSER GULER. Courtesy Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts.
On January 5, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) announced that curator and researcher Kevser Güler has been named the next director of the Istanbul Biennial, replacing the organization’s longtime leader, Bige Örer, on January 15. With the 18th edition of the Biennial set to open in September, Güler steps into the role as the Biennial remains mired in controversy over how its lead curator, Iwona Blazwick, was selected.
Güler’s extensive curatorial work has ranged from organizing exhibitions and programs in museums, art centers, galleries, rural and urban public spaces, and non-art spaces, to preparing publications on contemporary culture and art production. Between 2007 and 2014, Güler collaborated extensively with the Istanbul Biennial, such as taking part in its Production and Research Programme advisory board, where she mentored artists.
Güler is also one of the founders and associate curator of the Cappadox Festival Contemporary Art Programme (2015–17) in Cappadocia. She acted as researcher for the private museum Arter’s collection (2014–19) and worked as curator and exhibitions director at Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts (2020–21), where she recently curated the group exhibition “This Place” (2021–22). She was an editorial consultant for Sanat Dünyamız journal (2021–23). Güler’s role as a consultant and jury member of various art programmes extends to SAHA Studio, Ankara Queer Art Residency, Lucy Art Residency and Berlin Senate Visiting Artist Programme.
Sponsored by Koç Holding, the 18th Istanbul Biennial will be held from September 14 to November 17, 2024.
Camilla Alvarez Chow is an editorial assistant at ArtAsiaPacific.
