The fourth edition of CI Bloom will take place between April 17 and 20, with the participation of 25 galleries. For the first time this year, university students will be able to visit the fair free of charge on April 17 and 18 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Before the opening, CI Bloom organizers gathered with members of the press at The Marmara Taksim, where Contemporary Istanbul Chairman Ali Güreli shared detailed information about the upcoming edition.
During the press conference, Güreli emphasized the importance of supporting young audiences and announced that higher education students would be welcomed to the fair free of charge during two evening sessions. CI Bloom, which has established itself as a key platform for emerging and contemporary art in Istanbul, will also be hosting a range of new galleries and initiatives from cities such as Ankara, Diyarbakır, and Eskişehir.
This year’s edition will showcase 520 works by 263 artists. Among the featured highlights is The Iconic Glow by Can Büyükberber, presented at BMW’s stand as part of their collaboration with Borusan Otomotiv, the brand’s distributor in Turkey.
Speaking about the fair’s broader mission, Güreli noted that CI Bloom aims to foster strong contemporary art production, provide visibility to artists, and create space for young galleries and initiatives, especially those based outside Istanbul. He also stressed the importance of integrating participating galleries into dynamic local and international art networks and enabling them to connect with international collectors.
Another important feature of this year’s edition is its digital expansion. In parallel with the physical fair, CI Bloom will also offer an online sales platform. This system, which does not incur additional costs for participating galleries, will allow collectors to access artworks not physically exhibited at the fair. The platform will function in an auction format and run simultaneously with the fair.
Ali Güreli also touched upon recent data regarding the global contemporary art market. While the UBS Global Market report for 2025 has not yet been published, Güreli pointed out a visible slowdown in the global art scene, with some fairs experiencing up to a 15% decline in activity. He noted that this is not a dramatic downturn but a sign of changing dynamics that require new approaches and strategies to remain relevant in a shifting cultural landscape.
The fair will feature notable newcomers including The Key Art Gallery from Eskişehir, Chi Art Gallery and RS Sanat Alanı from Istanbul. Other participants include prominent galleries such as 44A / Sıtkı Kösemen, Anna Laudel, Art On Istanbul, Bozlu Art Project, Dirimart, Pi Artworks, and Zilberman, alongside many others from across Turkey and abroad.
CI Bloom’s fourth edition will also welcome several contemporary art initiatives. NOKS Art Space, KOLİ Art Space, and Loading Art Space will be featured for their contributions to interdisciplinary engagement, identity and gender discourse, and youth-focused art production. Additionally, DEHA ÇUN, an independent curator and writer known for supporting young artists, will also take part in this year’s edition.
