The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has announced Christine Tohmé as the curator for the 18th edition of the Istanbul Biennial.
The 18th edition of the Biennial will be divided into three parts and will take place from 2025 to 2027. The notion of time as being essential to the creative process is central to this edition, with the drawn out time frame proposed to offer the time for change and evolution of the creative process.
In her proposal, Tohmé states: “I have found working in the arts to be most transformative, not only in moments of formal presentation but, more importantly, during its production—in the creative process, everyday exchanges, openings, studio visits, and reading groups. Therefore, the 18th Istanbul Biennial should invest as much in the production process as in its presentation. The extended timeframe of three years will allow the Biennial to engage more deeply with the local scene and foster projects and collaborations around collective questions, contexts, and communities. Its multi-year programme aims to support generations of artists in connecting with their regional and international peers, building alliances, and confronting new realities.”
In 1993, Tohmé founded non-profit Ashkal Alwan, which continues to support contemporary artistic practices through programming, including Home Works: A Forum on Cultural Practices in Beirut, and various other initiatives. She also curated Sharjah Biennial 13: Tamawuj in 2017 and her work has been recognised by the UNSECO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture in 2018. In 2015, Tohmé recieved the CCS Bard Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence as well as the Prince Claus Award in 2006. She is also on the boards of both the International Biennial Association and Haven for Artists.
