Opened at Abdülmecid Efendi Köşkü, Folia invites visitors to reconsider the intricate relationship between nature and humanity. Organized under the auspices of Koç Holding and curated by Selen Ansen and Eda Berkmen, the exhibition takes its name from the Latin word folia—at once evoking leaves, botany, and nature, while also suggesting folly and excess. It is precisely this duality that shapes the exhibition’s narrative.
Engaging with the architecture and layered history of the Köşk, Folia unfolds as a realm where dream and reality, the minute and the monumental, the familiar and the uncanny intersect. Conceived from Koç Holding Chairman Ömer M. Koç’s idea of a “magical garden,” the exhibition draws on the symbolic and cultural associations attributed to gardens throughout history. As the visitor moves between the villa’s interior and exterior spaces, Folia weaves a multisensory journey that bridges nature’s vitality and abundance with the imaginative power of humankind.
Within this multi-layered garden, human-made forms sprout, flourish, decay, regenerate, and transform. Works move fluidly around ideas of magic, transcendence, and utopia, prompting reflection on the entangled relations between plants, animals, and people.
Over 300 Works by Nearly 100 Artists
Spanning a wide geography—from Japan to South Africa—the exhibition brings together more than 300 works dating from the 19th century to the present day. Objects connected to popular culture, botany, and craft are placed alongside contemporary and historical artworks. Alongside loans from institutions, artists, and collectors in Turkey and abroad, Folia also features newly commissioned pieces realized with the support of Koç Holding.
Visitor Information
Folia will be on view from September 21, 2025, to March 1, 2026, open daily (except Mondays) from 11:00 to 19:00, with free admission. During the opening week, the exhibition will exceptionally welcome visitors on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 12:00 to 19:00.
