The Istanbul Design Biennial, covering fields of urban design, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, fashion design and new media design as well as relevant creative products and projects, hosts over 100 projects by nearly 300 designers and architects from 46 countries in two different exhibition venues where curators Emre Arolat and Joseph Grima interpreted the theme “Imperfection” from their own perspectives. The Istanbul Design Biennial will transform Istanbul into a city of design during two months by presenting academy programme, workshop exhibitions, seminar programme, film screenings, parallel participant programme, and design walks as well as both main exhibitions.

The Istanbul Design Biennial was opened and presented to local and international press members with the Official Opening Ceremony and Press Meeting held at Galata Greek Primary School on Wednesday, 10 October. İKSV Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı delivered the opening speech at the Official Opening Ceremony of the Istanbul Design Biennial.

İKSV Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı stated: “In this first Istanbul Design Biennial which we have been preparing for since 2010, we aimed at organising an event that would encompass not only design, but all related creative industries that have gained momentum all over the world in recent years. Aiming to treat design as a cultural element and examine it from different angles, as well as, think about it anew and urge others to do the same, we wanted to approach the field from the unique perspective of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts. (…) Like all other events organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, we hope that the Istanbul Design Biennial will be a successful one that will enrich its discipline, promote the country’s contemporary cultural production in the international arena and provide audiences in Istanbul an opportunity to examine diverse trends and practices from all over the world.’’

During the Official Opening Ceremony of Istanbul Design Biennial hosted by Ece Dizdar, Secretary General of the Promotion Fund of the Turkish Prime Ministry Süleyman Erdem and Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış, were presented with appreciation plaques by İKSV Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı for their support to the biennial.

During the ceremony, Secretary General of TUSKON (The Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey) Dr. Mustafa Günay and President of the TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) Board of Directors Ümit Boyner were presented with appreciation plaques for their support to the Istanbul Design Biennial. After the ceremony, Istanbul Design Biennial curators Emre Arolat and Joseph Grima, Advisory Board Member of Istanbul Design Biennial and Director of Design Museum in London Deyan Sudjic and Istanbul Design Biennial Director Özlem Yalım Özkaraoğlu delivered short speeches at the press meeting. The biennial exhibitions were previewed with the curators’ guidance after the meeting. Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertuğrul Günay visited the exhibition with Bülent Eczacıbaşı.

Along with the local and international press members, deans of the relevant departments of universities, scholars, representative of the relevant institutions and organisations as well as the leading figures of architecture and design scene attended the press meeting of the Istanbul Design Biennial.