18.09.2025 09:42
The speech by Ömer Koç, Chairman of the Board of Koç Holding, made a significant impact at the official opening ceremony of the 18th Istanbul Biennial. After his speech in Turkish, Koç stated in his English address, "I still cannot believe that some people continue to support and justify this horrific genocide. However, truth and justice will ultimately prevail."
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The official opening of the 18th Istanbul Biennial, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) with the support of Koç Holding, was held with a ceremony at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum. According to a statement from IKSV, many names from the art and business world attended the ceremony, including IKSV Board Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı, Koç Holding Chairman Ömer M. Koç, and Istanbul Biennial Director Kevser Güler.
In the statement, Eczacıbaşı, who shared his views, said in his speech at the ceremony, "The Istanbul Biennial has been shaping our city's cultural and artistic life for 38 years. It nourishes Istanbul's art scene. By presenting the works of artists from all over the world, who delicately address current issues, to the audience in Istanbul, it facilitates the production of new ideas and the establishment of new dialogues."
"THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM WE ARE WORKING ON WILL OPEN A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF THE BIENNALE" Eczacıbaşı stated that this year's biennial presented an unconventional three-year program at the suggestion of curator Christine Tohme, and he conveyed the following:
"It is already possible to say that our biennial titled 'Three-Legged Cat' will open a new era in the history of the biennale with this new method it is trying and the academic program we are working on with our curator. I would like to extend our special thanks to our curator Christine Tohme, who brought this biennial to life with her unique vision and dedicated efforts. I also sincerely thank all the artists participating in the exhibition and all our colleagues who contributed. We are grateful to the biennial sponsor Koç Holding, which has made a significant contribution to the realization of the biennial with their long-standing support, to the venues that opened their doors to us free of charge, to all our sponsors and supporters, and to all our stakeholders who contributed to our development with their suggestions, criticisms, and evaluations, and to you, our valued friends, who are a part of this great gathering."
"WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THE ISTANBUL BIENNALE SINCE 2007" A plaque of appreciation was presented to Koç Holding, which has been the biennial sponsor from 2007 to 2036. Ömer M. Koç, Chairman of Koç Holding, who received the plaque on behalf of Koç Holding, stated the following in his speech:
"We have been supporting the Istanbul Biennial since 2007. We see this long-term collaboration, which will last until 2036, not just as a sponsorship relationship, but as a companionship of a shared vision and a common ideal. I believe that through this valuable bond we have established with IKSV, we have taken significant steps towards making contemporary art accessible to everyone and creating space for freedom of expression. In today's world, where the number of pressing issues awaiting solutions is increasing at an alarming rate, I believe we need art and the transformative power of art more than ever. The conceptual framework of this year's biennial, 'Three-Legged Cat,' focuses on a state of resilience that arises from the need to protect oneself and stand firm in challenging situations."
THE STRIKING REACTION TO GAZA THAT MARKED THE NIGHT Koç also referred to Gaza in his speech, saying, "My heart is with the long-suffering people of Gaza. My prayers and thoughts are with them. I still cannot believe that some people continue to support and justify this horrific genocide. However, the truth and justice will ultimately prevail."
"THE BIENNALE FINDS ITS MEANING AS IT IS VISITED, DISCUSSED, AND SHARED" Istanbul Biennial Director Kevser Güler, in her speech at the ceremony, talked about this year's structure of the biennial and provided the following information:
"The biennial, which will be held in three legs from 2025 to 2027, will present works in the 2025 exhibition that showcase different aspects of defending life, developing resilience strategies, and taking responsibility for protecting each other and ourselves in the context of current artistic, political, and social urgencies. The 18th Istanbul Biennial, with its exhibition and public program, also brings to the forefront the necessity of discussions regarding the infrastructures that significantly affect the present and future of the culture and art ecosystem. The biennial finds its meaning as it is visited, discussed, and shared."
The first leg of the biennial titled "Three-Legged Cat," which will span three years, will be open for free visits with the contributions of Koç Holding at eight different venues located along the Beyoğlu-Karaköy line from September 20 to November 23, following preview days for media and professionals until September 19.
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