Recent Waterways Press from Istanbul

Link to the Istanbul Biennial Website

Waterways at The Istanbul Biennial

Two Continents and Beyond: Waterways Istanbul

Two Continents and Beyond: Waterways
Lead Curators & Producers: Renée Vara and Asli Sumer 

Curatorial Advisors: Ethan Cohen, Paul Middendorf and Mary Mattingly 

Artists:  Nicole Amore, Theo Angell, Art Hijack, John Breiner, Donna Clovis, Orly Cogan, Aaron Day, Christoph Draeger, David Eckard, Tamar Hirschl, Ryan Jeffery, Erin Letterman, Michelle Livsey, Miranda Lloyd, Eva Mantell, Mary Mattingly, Jason Middlebrook, Zhu Ming, Naoto Nakagawa, Lindsey Nobel, Dina Noto, Agata Oleksiak, Rune Olsen, Jim Peters, Paige Saez, Avelino Sala, Lisa Schilling, Dana Shea, Raphaele Shirley, Shinique Smith, Stephanie Snyder, Amy Steel, Vicky Tomayko, Lauren Was, Jeannie Weissglass and Bernard Williams

Two Continents and Beyond: Waterways, led by Renée Vara and Asli Sumer, is the second statement in a series of interventions. Recontextualized around the specific concerns of Turkey, the show repeats guerilla practices on the Bosphorus and investigates the iconic role of the Vapur (the local public ferries) as the nexus of the politics surrounding trade, commerce and environmental resources.

Waterways: what began as a collective happening during the 2005 Venice Biennale now returns as an Official Independent Project of the 9th Istanbul Biennale. This collaborative group of over 30 artists and 7 curators initiated a critical dialogue regarding the relationship between the environment, natural resources and its role in systems of transportation.

The show, installed on one of Istanbul’s largest vapurs, the Aykut Barka, will sail between the historic ports of Besiktas on the European coast and Uskudar on the Asian.  The ride provides a conscious pause to actively engage and explore the complex dynamic inherent in the systems of politics and international exchange as it relates to environmental conservation and global warming.

This collaboration of artists and curators represent a collective commentary on such issues and wrestles with the utopian ideal embodied in closed systems and international exchanges of divergent viewpoints. 

Press & Opening Reception: October 18th, 6PM at Kabatash Port                                                                    

Opening VIP and Press Party: October 18th @ 9PM

artSumer Gallery
1.cadde No:62 Arnavutkoy 34345 Istanbul
Tel : 90-212-263-5623, www.artsumer.com

RSVP:  rsvp@varaart.com

Further information and press images:

Renée Vara, T (001-921-1708), info@varaart.com
Asli Sumer, T (001-90-212-263-5623), info@artsumer.com


Further information regarding Waterways collective:
http://www.varaart.com/main.asp?page=waterways  and  www.waterways2005.blogspot.com

This project was realized in cooperation with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and I.D.O.