18th Istanbul Biennial title and framework announced: The Three-Legged Cat

Istanbul Biennial Director Kevser Güler and 18th Istanbul Biennial Curator Christine Tohmé. Photo: Salih Üstündağ. Courtesy: IKSV

18th Istanbul Biennial
“The Three-Legged Cat”
September 20, 2025 – November 23, 2025
Istanbul Biennial

The Istanbul Biennial has since its inception been a key institution for contemporary art for the whole region and the whole contemporary art world. It has, throughout the years challenged exhibition and institutional models with enticing and provocative curatorial proposals. This year’s edition, curated by our Board Member Christine Tohmé promises to keep in line with this tradition. Her vision of a biennial unfolding over three years with a strong focus on educational strategies, uses a metaphor as its guiding title “The Three-Legged Cat”.

Approaching the biennial format in a radical and experimental way, Christine Tohmé envisioned three distinct phases for her project in Istanbul. The first leg, running from 20 September to 23 November 2025, will feature an exhibition showcasing works by over 40 artists, complemented by a dynamic public program of performances, screenings, and talks. The second phase, set for 2026, focuses on the creation of an academy and collaborations with local initiatives, aiming to extend the dialogue beyond the confines of the exhibition space. Finally, in 2027, the Biennial will culminate in a reflective third phase, bringing together the ideas, practices, and conversations developed over the previous years through exhibitions and workshops.

This expanded structure allows the Biennial to function not merely as an event but as a continuous process—one that evolves in response to shifting political, social, and environmental realities.

Christine Tohmé describes the three-legged cat as a metaphor for resilience, transformation, and the precarious balance required to navigate an unstable world. In her curatorial statement, she invokes the image of a cat that, despite not having all four limbs, continues to adapt, survive, and find moments of solace. The feline metaphor speaks to the challenges of accelerated destruction, forced displacement, and the uncertainties that define contemporary existence.

“Resting on three legs from 2025 through 2027, the 18th Istanbul Biennial is thoroughly feline,” Tohmé writes. “It secures its footing by stretching in time, following a rhythm nourished by conversations, gymnastics, and incessant news streams.”

This thematic framework resonates deeply in Istanbul, a city known for its history of resilience and transformation. The Biennial’s engagement with self-preservation and futurity signals an urgent call to reimagine how art institutions can operate in an era of uncertainty.

The press conference announcing the Biennial’s title and conceptual framework took place at the historic Beyoğlu Sports Club, a site that has witnessed over a century of social and cultural shifts. Founded in 1877 by Istanbul’s Greek community, the club has undergone multiple transformations, reflecting the broader narrative of Istanbul’s diverse and evolving identity. As part of the 18th Istanbul Biennial, the club will host various performances, further embedding the exhibition within the city’s historical and urban fabric.

Another critical aspect of the upcoming Biennial is its commitment to public accessibility. Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) and supported by long-term sponsor Koç Holding, the exhibition and its associated programming will be free of charge, ensuring broad public engagement. The Biennial also invites professionals and media to preview the exhibition from 16-19 September 2025, with designated professional preview days on 18 and 19 September.

With The Three-Legged Cat, Christine Tohmé proposes a Biennial that is not merely an event but a sustained practice—one that embraces improvisation, adaptation, and the unknown. The three-year format challenges the conventional rhythms of biennial exhibitions, offering an alternative model that prioritizes ongoing engagement and reflection.

As the art world continues to grapple with questions of sustainability, inclusivity, and institutional relevance, the 18th Istanbul Biennial stands as a vital experiment in rethinking how large-scale exhibitions can function. By allowing itself to expand and contract over time—like a cat stretching in the sun—this Biennial promises to leave a lasting impact, both in Istanbul and beyond.

For more information visit the Istanbul Biennial website.