Contemporary Istanbul opens virtually

Contemporary Istanbul's (CI) new virtual initiative "Virtual Contemporary Istanbul" was launched at an online press conference held on Dec. 16. The 15th edition of the event will be previewed on Dec. 19 and 20 and on general view between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6, 2021 as a virtual fair.

"We set off a 17-day journey. Maybe we can extend it if necessary. We called for 2,500 people in Turkey, including those interested in arts, collectors, buyers and other professionals. We sent their access codes to the system," CI Chairman of Board Ali Güreli said.

Stating that guided tours of various groups will also take place at the fair, Güreli noted that the physical edition of the fair is set to be made between April 27 and May 2, 2021.

He said that they are planning to hold the 16th edition of CI for seven days, with the preview on Sept. 18-19 and fair days on Sept. 20-2, 2021.

Noting that Virtual Contemporary Istanbul will give great pleasure and enthusiasm to the participants, Güreli said, "I hope they make their purchases with that enthusiasm and the galleries will leave happy. In the end of 2020, let everyone gift art to their spouse, friends, relatives and loved ones. Let this year be the year of gifting art and let the CI be the most important tool for it."

Curator Hasan Bülent Kahraman said that the virtual fair will not only take place this year but also in the next years, adding that virtuality has become an indispensable part of life.

"I sincerely thank the 12 artists who participated in an exhibition we organized for the fair. I named this exhibition 'The Corona Diaries Carnival'."

Explaining that the artists continued to produce in their places despite the troubles during the pandemic era of about nine months, Kahraman...

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