ARTIST Istanbul fair to launch with Chinese artists

ISTANBUL

Interviews and panel discussions during ARTIST 2013 will host artists, academics, critics, experts and institution representatives.

Welcoming 1,000 artists, 150 galleries and 25 other groups for a week of art, the 23rd Istanbul International Art Fair ARTIST is set to kick off this weekend at the Tüyap Fair and Convention Center in Büyükçekmece with China receiving pride of place.

The event will also feature honorary awards that are given every year to commemorate outstanding contributions to various branches of plastic arts.

This year’s artist of honor award will be given to Professor Mustafa Ata for his significant contribution to sculpture in Turkey, while the critic of honor award will be given to Professor Ahmet Kamil Gören. The benefactor of art award is set to be bestowed on the Portakal Çiçeği International Plastic Arts Colony, while the collector of honor award will be given to Erol Evgin.

This year, the art fair will feature a large number of Turkish and international art galleries, universities and art platforms, as well as a special exhibition in honor of Ata.

Modern plastic arts exhibition from China

Exhibitors in the Art Fair will include more than 100 Turkish artists, but there will also be foreign art galleries and institutions exhibiting work during the nine-day fair.

The highlight of the fair will be a large, government-sponsored exhibition of artists from China. The exhibition of modern art will include works by 16 prominent artists like Bing Xu, Ye Liu and Lei Xu under an overarching theme of “Tradition Coming to Life.” The works to be exhibited include ink and mineral dye on paper, oil paint, printing, installation, sculpture and ceramics.

 The fair will host a number of exhibitions by important artists. In addition to almost 1,000 artists, 150 art galleries and 25 independent groups and initiatives, the event will exhibit the works of almost 150 young artists in their respective exhibitions. ARTIST 2013 will occupy two halls this year and have a total exhibition space of 12,500 square meters.

Independent artist groups to gather

As one of the key partners of the Istanbul Art Fair, independent groups and art initiatives will represent an alternative perspective with noteworthy exhibitions and works in a variety of modern art disciplines. Close to 25 independent art groups will be joining ARTIST 2013. Independent groups composed of hundreds of artists and sculptors will also be having exhibitions this year.

Interviews and panel discussions during ARTIST 2013 will host artists, academics, critics, experts and institution representatives. The events will be held in the Event Area in Hall 7.

Information on the art galleries and independent artists participating in the fair, as well as exhibitions and other events during the festivities, can be found at www.facebook.com/istanbulsanatfuari and www.twitter.com/SanatFuari.

The 23rd International Istanbul Art Fair will be held concurrently with the 32nd International Istanbul Book Fair organized by TÜYAP Fairs in association with the Publishers’ Association of Turkey.