Istanbul Design Biennial was introduced to the international press and design community on Friday June 29, at a press lunch attended by Joseph Grima, one of the curators of Istanbul Design Biennial, Nil Aynalı on behalf of the other curaotor Emre Arolat, Deyan Sudjic, member of the Biennial’s Advisory Board and Director of the Design Museum in London, and the design biennial director Özlem Yalım Özkaraoğlu. As one of the two curators who will interpret and present an independent approach to the biennial’s theme, Joseph Grima shared the details of the exhibition entitled “Adhocracy”. The associate curator Nil Aynalı spoke on behalf of Emre Arolat and explained the exhibition entitled “Musibet”. Deyan Sudjic contributed with his views on the biennial’s theme “Imperfection” – which had been adopted at his suggestion – and on the city of Istanbul. The Design Biennial Director, Özlem Yalım Özkaraoğlu relayed detailed information on the the biennial programme and further events which have so far taken place during the run-up to the biennial.
Deyaj Sudjic commenced his speech by declaring Istanbul “the second most beautiful city to visit in the world after London” and continued by comparing the two cities: “They both have multiple identities, a fantastic heritage and extraordinary dynamic economics. When I was asked to suggest a theme for the design biennial to be held for the first time in Istanbul, I enthusiastically suggested “Imperfection” which not only reflects the nature of Istanbul but it is also an appraisal of Istanbul’s diverse potential in creativity.”
One of the Curators Joseph Grima commented on the biennial exhibition: “Through “Adhocracy”, we aim to explore such current topics as the transformation of the power structures underlying design and the subsequent change in the role of the designer, the third industrial revolution and the overflow of the digital world into the physical world. One key interest of this exhibition is to interrogate the socio-political dimension of design rather than the idea of design as something that is capable of producing objects”
As the other curator Emre Arolat was unable to attend the special lunch invitation, associate curator Nil Aynalı spoke on behalf of him about the exhibition entitled “Musibet”: “As a result of the recent urban transformation processes, Istanbul is currently dealing with a “Musibet” (a Plague or a Calamity). The exhibition “Musibet” will explore this transformational process which can be seen as the outcome of neoliberal policies, under the headings of Contextualism and Anti-Contextualism. The exhibition will problematize issues such as the rising of social tensions and the instrumentalization of architecture.”
Istanbul Design Biennial’s reception was attended by the representatives of the world’s forthcoming press publications such as Monocle, Wallpaper, Domus, Financial Times, Design and Architecture Critic, Dezeen, NY Times, Boomberg Business Week, LS:N Global, Elle (Canada), Haute Living, Travel &Leisure, Korean Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, Arena, Maison, Stella, Grand Designs, FT, House & Garden, Editor, IT’S Nice That, South Morning China Post, Little Book of Wonders, Telegraph Magazine, WSJ Europe, House & Garden, Centurion and Departures, FT, Stylus, Nowness, The National (UAE), Aishti, and Labkultur London. A member of Istanbul Design Biennial’s Advisory Board and the founder of Sevil Peach Architecture and Design, Sevil Peach was also among the guests at the lunch reception.
