September is not just the start of the calendar for Istanbul; it is the beating heart of culture and art, which is picking up speed once again. In this issue, we explore the three main axes that set the city’s rhythm: the Gaza Biennial – Istanbul Pavilion, which will open at Depo; the 18th Istanbul Biennial, with its three-year model; and Contemporary Istanbul, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Each touches on social memory, ethical responsibility, and the need for solidarity beyond the exhibitions themselves.
The Gaza Biennial’s Istanbul Pavilion, A Cloud in My Hand, explores ways of creating and solidarity in the face of war and destruction, with contributions from artists such as Alfredo Jaar and Walid Raad. The Istanbul Biennial, under the title “Three-Legged Cat,” breaks with convention with its structure spanning from 2025 to 2027, creating a space for reflection and discussion over time. Contemporary Istanbul, in its 20th year at Tersane Istanbul, brings together both the past and the present in the same memory with works ranging from Alexander Calder to Julie Mehretu.
This issue also features the “ZERO” concept, designed through the collaboration of humans and artificial intelligence. ZERO is conceived as a model that prioritizes truth, can follow its own consistency, and can make contradictions visible. This construct, which can maintain its integrity even under pressure, actually reminds us of the role of art today: to make the invisible visible, to enable questioning, and to serve as a compass in times of crisis.
The excitement of the new season lies precisely here. Biennials, fairs, and pavilions call not only for looking but for seeing; not only for watching but for participating. This fall, art will once again be our most powerful language, keeping time with the city’s pulse, embodying both fragility and resilience.