With 12 editions already staged, the Istanbul Biennial has, since 1987, been a meeting point between artists from diverse cultures and the Istanbul audience in the field of the visual arts.

 Modern Art Museum, Istanbul 

Considered one of the most prestigious biennials alongside Venice, Sao Paolo and Sydney, the Istanbul Biennial prefers an exhibition model that enables a dialogue between artists and the audience through the work of the artists instead of a national representation model. The Biennial plays an important role in the promotion of contemporary artists not only from Turkey but from a number of different countries in the international arena.

 Istanbul design Biennial 2012: Connecting Concepts, Nadine Elfenbein 

This year sees the birth of a new concept, the Istanbul Design Biennial, which will be open to all disciplines of the creative industries in major fields such as urban design, architecture, interior design, industrial design, graphic design, new media design and fashion design, as well as their subfields.

 Istanbul design Biennial 2012: Knotted Chair, Marcel Wander, Lizzy Kalisvaart 

Curated by Emre Arolat and Joseph Grima – world-renowned professionals - this new initiative involves a two month non-stop visual feast related to every sort of design, from architecture to jewellery, from food to leather passing through workshops, conferences, tours and exhibitions.

Just like the art Biennial, the Design Biennial too will have a different theme each two years. The first is “Imperfection”. Imperfection is a new take on old ideas. It gives the Japanese concept of Wabi, of impermanence, transience and imperfection a new expression. It is one that motivates an entire generation of young designers to do better, to find perfection (next time). It is also a very distinctive way to describe Istanbul, perfect in its imperfection.

Don’t be afraid, though: the organization is going to be perfect, indeed. Want to know all the details? Check the online journal of the Istanbul Design Biennial. 

Istanbul Design Biennial

October 13th—December 12th 2012

Istanbul, different location

Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts

Sadi Konuralp Caddesi, No 5
Nejat Eczacıbaşı Binası

Şişhane 34433—İstanbul 

Written by: Elisa della Barba