The 15^th edition of Contemporary Istanbul (CI) was initially postponed from September to December 2020 due to the global pandemic. However, despite high expectations, it was impossible to hold the event physically so, a virtual platform went online between December 21^st and January 6^th which brought together art enthusiasts and collectors. The fair is finally ready to physically welcome visitors and the event is scheduled to kick-off with a VIP preview held on June 1^st and 2^nd. Keeping to the tradition, this year’s Contemporary Istanbul will also be hosted at the Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Centre. With a focus on creating a strategic roadmap for art institutions and organisations in creating a sustainable art scene, the fair will see the participation of Contemporary Istanbul Foundation (CIF), Akbank Art, Baksı Museum, Borusan Contemporary, Odun Pazarı Modern Museum (OMM) and Otonom Art Events. Akbank Art remains as a sponsor to CI and appears at its usual stand with an exhibition curated by Hasan Bülent Kahraman titled “Olan ve Alışkınlık” featuring 11 artists.

The 8^th edition of the Plugin Exhibition sponsored by Siemens Home Appliances is based on a theme that resembles the digital art experiences we had during the months of Covid lockdowns. Virtual tours of art events might have gained tremendous popularity during those times of house confinement, however, we can all admit that nothing compares to seeing a work of art in person. Considering the prospect of being together again, in its 15^th edition, Contemporary Istanbul has assumed the mission of exposing more people to the healing powers of art. Curated by Esra Özkan, this year’s Plugin will be hosting an exhibition that features abstract artistic creations that include virtual reality and digital characters. As the meeting ground of innovations in new media, Plugin is shaped around the theme “Post”. Hinting at the question “Are virtual art tours the future of art?”, the exhibition includes work from Aypera, Ahmet Rüstem, Bevoid, Can Büyükberber, Ece Gözen, Enes Özenbaş & Ethem Cem, Güvenç Özel, Hakan Sorar, Sofia Crespo H.o, Mert Kızılay & Hakan Gündüz, Maxim Zhestkov, Mario Klingemann, Nye Thompson, Onur Sönmez, Selin Balcı and Yonca Karakaş. Tickets will go on sale on Biletix with the option of selecting a specific time slot. Due to Covid-19 measures, CI has limited visiting times to two hours for the guests.

Participating Galleries:

Anna Laudel, İstanbul, Dusseldorf; Art On İstanbul, İstanbul; Art Refinery, İstanbul; Artopol Art Gallery, İstanbul; Bozlu Art Project, İstanbul; C24 Gallery, New York ; CEP Gallery, Istanbul; De Artium, İstanbul; Dirimart, İstanbul; Faar Art Gallery, İstanbul; Galeri 77, İstanbul; Galeri Binyıl, İstanbul; Galeri Diani, İstanbul; Galeri MCRD, İstanbul; Galeri/Miz, İstanbul; Galeri Nev İstanbul, İstanbul; Galeri Siyah Beyaz, İstanbul, Ankara; Gama Gallery, İstanbul; Öktem Aykut, İstanbul; Pi Artworks, İstanbul, London; Piramid Sanat, İstanbul; Sanatorium, İstanbul; Sevil Dolmacı Art Gallery, İstanbul; Vision Art Platform, İstanbul; x-ist, İstanbul; Zilberman Gallery, İstanbul, Berlin.