As part of Contemporary Istanbul’s 20th anniversary, Peruvian-American artist Grimanesa Amorós presents two new light installations, PASSAGE and MARITIME, created specifically for The Peninsula Istanbul. These works will be on view for visitors from September 24 to November 2025.
Amorós is a prominent figure in the international art world, known for her interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of history, technology, and architecture. For her, light is not merely a material but a language that forges a universal connection between the viewer, space, and cultural memory. Describing her art as “an ongoing romance with the unknown,” Amorós draws inspiration from the Northern Lights she witnessed in Iceland in 2001, centering the ephemeral yet captivating nature of light in her work.
Her installations have been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Ludwig Museum (Cologne), CAFA Museum (Beijing), and the Central Academy of Fine Arts (Shanghai). A TEDGlobal 2014 speaker, she has also created projects across various geographies through the U.S. Art in Embassies program.
In Istanbul, her new installations connect directly with the city’s memory:
PASSAGE, located in The Peninsula Istanbul’s historic clock tower, breathes new life into a structure that once witnessed farewells and reunions, reimagined through Amorós’ luminous interpretation.
MARITIME, installed in the hotel’s lobby, is a sculptural form that nods to the maritime heritage, making visible the fluidity of water and the passage of time. It also conveys stories of migration, survival, and connection through a poetic landscape.
Amorós invites viewers into a multi-sensory experience, encouraging reflection on the physical and emotional depths of water.
Additionally, on Thursday, September 25, from 3:30 to 4:00 PM, Amorós will join a conversation with MIART founder Alejandra Castro Rioseco at the CIF Dialogues panel titled “Panel 9: Light, Memory, and the Monumental.” The discussion will explore light’s transformative power in public spaces and its relationship with urban memory.
Amorós shares about her Istanbul projects:
“Light reveals the unseen layers of a space. PASSAGE and MARITIME reflect the poetic power of time and water. I hope viewers experience a journey that is both rooted and fluid within this rhythm.”
📍 The Peninsula Istanbul
📅 September 24 – November 2025
