This autumn, Istanbul once again turns into a living gallery as İKSV brings the Biennial back to the vibrant Beyoğlu–Karaköy axis. The 18th edition, titled The Three-Legged Cat, is no fleeting spectacle—it unfolds as a three-year journey of discovery. Curated by Christine Tohmé, the Biennial opens in 2025 with more than 40 artists from 30 countries presenting performances, screenings, and talks, all circling the themes of self-preservation and the future.

Much of the experience can be explored on foot, with artworks scattered across the city that let you feel the pulse of Istanbul. In 2026, the Biennial evolves into an academy shaped in collaboration with local initiatives, before concluding in 2027 with an exhibition and workshop program—an ode to the serendipitous encounters made along the way.

For anyone eager to rediscover Istanbul through art, and to glimpse both personal and collective horizons of hope, this Biennial is more than an event —it’s an invitation.

BIENNIAL VENUES