The 2nd Commagene Land and River Art Biennial will open its doors to in Kâhta, Adıyaman, on August 23, 2025. As Turkey’s only biennial focused on river and land art, this year’s edition, “Fragile Alliance,” is a significant platform for questioning the relationship between nature and humanity. Curated by Ayça Okay, the biennial allows artists, experts, and visitors to reinterpret the connection between humans and nature.
Commagene Land and River Art, which initially focused on topics such as dams built on rivers in Anatolia, their impact on river life and other species living along the shores, the global climate crisis, and drought, as well as artists’ responses to these issues, this year centers on the transformation potential that would arise if the Euphrates River were granted legal personhood under the theme “Fragile Alliance.” In 2017, a significant step was taken globally when the Whanganui River in New Zealand and the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in India were granted legal personhood.
Fragile Alliance aims to discuss the ecological, legal, and social implications of recognizing nature as a subject of rights, focusing on the Euphrates River. In 2023, a petition emphasizing the river ecosystem was submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to grant the Euphrates River a similar status.
The site-sensitive practice of Land Art
Fragile Alliance metaphorically transforms the concept of alloparenting (co-parenting), suggesting that rather than viewing nature as a one-sided object of care, humans should establish a relationship based on mutual respect and collaboration. This perspective aligns with the integrative and site-sensitive practice of Land Art, adopting an approach where human intervention synchronizes with nature’s rhythms rather than seeking to dominate it. The artistic production methods of Land Art, rooted in earth, water, and natural elements, merge with alloparenting’s principles of solidarity and shared responsibility, offering a conceptual framework for recognizing nature as a subject. Curator Ayça Okay shares her thoughts: “I am very happy and proud to have the opportunity to contribute to the region with Fragile Alliance. In this edition of the Commagene Land and River Art Biennial tries to emphasize that nature is not a passive entity but an active subject with its own dynamics and unconscious processes, capable of transforming humanity.”
Okay added, rather than seeking to dominate nature, humans should see themselves as part of it and show respect. ”While raising public awareness, we aim to place the Euphrates River at the center of this discourse. The ‘alloparenting’ model, which inspires this biennial, will help redefine the relationship between humans and nature, enabling a more sustainable coexistence. Instead of perceiving nature as a mere resource or tool, we highlight the importance of building an equal and collaborative relationship with it. This understanding is the key to protecting our environment and coexisting peacefully on this planet. Fragile Alliance is envisioned as a co-parenting model that transforms the fragile and strained relationship between humans and nature into a shared future, fostering cooperation, respect, and adaptability.”
Lukianos Museum Islands
The biennial focuses on the Lukianos Museum Islands, located along the Euphrates River in Adıyaman. These structures became islands in 1989 due to the construction of the Atatürk Dam, preserving the river’s memory. The islands are named after Lucian of Samosata, a philosopher born in Samsat. This area, with its rich historical and natural landscape, holds significant cultural heritage and is also known for its diverse ecosystem. The islands and their surrounding shores, deeply intertwined with the region’s past, inspire artists while offering visitors an immersive experience between nature and history.
