The Istanbul Biennial breaks its mold this year, unfolding over three years. The first leg runs from September 20 to November 23, 2025, and is free of charge. Curated by Christine Tohmé, the biennial is titled “Three-Legged Cat,” with clear themes: “self-preservation” and “future possibilities.”
Exhibitions span the Beyoğlu–Karaköy axis across eight venues, all within walking distance. Featuring 47 artists from over 30 countries, the route invites visitors to experience the city’s texture and the exhibition in a single breath.
The venues include Elhamra Han, Galata Greek School, Zihni Han, Muradiye Han, Meclis-i Mebusan 35, Külah Factory, Galeri 77, and the Garden of the Former French Orphanage. Each carries a distinct rhythm and context. Admission is free, with venues open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except Mondays.
The biennial is more than an exhibition. A vibrant public program includes performances, resilience-based dance, solo narratives, and film screenings. During the opening week, Arter Karbon, Salt Beyoğlu, Bahçe Galata, and Istanbul Modern join in. The program confronts the shadows of the past and the fragility of the present within the same frame, guided by curiosity rather than certainty.
The second floor of Zihni Han serves as a meeting point. Relax, chat, or propose a small event—the space is flexible. A small library nearby grows with visitor contributions. This is the beating heart of the biennial.
Accessibility is the backbone of this edition. Supported by Koç Holding, guided tours run throughout the day, offering single-venue or multi-venue routes. In collaboration with DenizBank, accessible tours include audio descriptions and sign language. Tours for refugees, advised by UNHCR, are also organized. Special morning tours cater to caregivers with babies aged 0–36 months.
The learning program is open to children and youth, with workshops held in collaboration with PACE, focusing on upcycling and creative production. Galata Greek School serves as the hub for this program. Participation is free but requires registration.
Tohmé’s framework is open and honest, describing a “now” constricted by crises and migration while seeking spaces to breathe. It envisions solidarity, repair, and imagination together, crafting a biennial language that stretches and reappears like a cat.
Preview days are September 16–19. From September 20, no registration or tickets are needed—doors are open to all. Wander, linger in side streets, then climb to another floor. This year, the biennial is as much an experience as an exhibition, as much a state of being as a route.
A note: Since 2007, the Istanbul Biennial has been sponsored by Koç Holding, enabling free admission. The Eczacıbaşı Group is IKSV’s Founding Sponsor, with numerous institutions, funds, and initiatives also supporting the program. The visual identity is by Okay Karadayılar, and the promotional film is by Ali Demirel.
In short: Eight venues. Forty-seven artists. Free entry. A walkable route. A robust public program. Accessible tours and learning. The 18th Istanbul Biennial invites the city to listen to the “now,” probe the future, and breathe together.
