We’re participating in this 35-year-old art festival in Turkey for the first time. Plus on exhibit, also in the land of Orhan Pamuk: all the gold of our ancestors
In the 35-year history of the Istanbul Biennial, one of the biggest art events in Turkey, the Philippines was represented for the first time.
The 17th edition of the Biennial, which opened on Sept. 15, includes the works of Filipino contemporary artists Martha Atienza and Lesley Anne-Cao along with 55 other artists from all over the globe. Until Nov. 20, 2022, the public may view the artworks on display at different venues in Istanbul for free.
Martha Atienza’s video installations are presented at the MüzeGazhane, a 130-year-old power plant converted into a museum, on the Asian side of İstanbul. Martha’s works Adlaw Sang Mananagat (Fisherfolks Day), Sugdan Ko (It Starts With Me), and Way Pag Otro (Nothing Has Changed) tackle the conditions of the marine environment and fisherfolk of Bantayan İsland in Cebu.
Lesley Cao of the Green Papaya Art Projects, meanwhile, showcases her sound installation in Barın Han, the former workshop of Turkish graphic and type designer Emin Barin, on the city’s European side. Among Lesley’s creations, Running Backwards Below 20 Waves Per Second is a reflection on the death or dormancy of artist-run initiatives in the Philippines.
The participation of the members of the Green Papaya Art Projects has been made possible with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Consulate General in İstanbul.
Coinciding with the Biennial, the “Ginto: A Golden Heritage from our Filipino Ancestors” exhibit also opened in Istanbul, following its successful run in Ankara in June this year.
The pictorial exhibit features replicas of golden ornaments crafted by Filipinos from 700 to 1,200 years ago. Open to the public until the end of the month, the display was made possible through the efforts of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul and the Beyoğlu Municipality.
The 17th edition of the Biennial included the works of Filipino contemporary artists Martha Atienza and Lesley Anne-Cao along with 55 other artists from all over the globe.
A separate section is dedicated to pre-colonial weaves and costumes, designed by Istanbul-based Filipino designer Rohan Legaspi, and present artisanal gold jewelry pieces crafted by AMAMI Philippines.
The Philippine Embassy in Ankara provided the main exhibit materials in collaboration with the NCCA.
The exhibit is held at Galatasaray Sergi Salonu (Exhibition Hall), at the former Post Office of Beyoğlu along the iconic Istiklal Caddesi, the busiest street in Turkey with daily foot traffic of about a million pedestrians.
The Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul cooperated with the Turkish Post and Telegraph Agency (PTT) in the issuance of usable postage stamps on the exhibit. The stamps were given as souvenirs to guests who were mostly from the consular corps as well as other academic and cultural institutions in Istanbul.
Istanbul PCG photos.
istanbulpcg.dfa.gov.ph/