3rd CI Bloom Unveils Exciting New Program at Rumeli Halls

The art fair CI Bloom, organized by Contemporary İstanbul, which brings spring to Istanbul, is returning this year with its third edition. The fair will take place at the Rumeli Halls of the Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center, where 24 contemporary art galleries, along with 5 institutions and initiatives, will showcase 568 artworks by 267 artists. Continuing its tradition of connecting emerging artists and art professionals with art enthusiasts, the fair will introduce Mahal initiative from Çanakkale for the first time, alongside Bel’m art space from Ankara, 10_12 gallery, and Briefly Art gallery from Istanbul. This year, CI Bloom will be presented in partnership with BMW, the Turkish distributor of Borusan Otomotiv, and LG OLED.

The Living Things DECOL production in the digital art field will merge art and technology. The renowned DJ Todd Terje from Sweden will accompany the spring festivities of CI Bloom with a performance on April 27th. Since 2019, CI Bloom has been taking sustainability efforts one step further by collaborating with partners on carbon footprint reduction, waste management, and energy conservation, aiming to make long-term strides in these areas with an assembled team of experts.

CI Bloom Participant Galleries:
Art On Istanbul, İstanbul; Belm’art Space, Ankara, Bozlu Art Project, İstanbul; brieflyart, İstanbul; BüroSarıgedik, İstanbul; C.A.M. Galeri,İstanbul; den art, Antalya; DifoArt, İstanbul; Dirimart, İstanbul; Galeri Bosfor, İstanbul; Galeri 77, İstanbul; Galeri Siyah Beyaz, Ankara; Muse Contemporary, İstanbul; One Arc Gallery, İstanbul; Pg Art Gallery, İstanbul; Pi Artworks, İstanbul, Londra; Piramid Sanat, İstanbul; Sanatorium, İstanbul; Simbart Projects, İstanbul; Taksim Sanat, İstanbul; Vision Art Platform, İstanbul; x-ist, İstanbul; Zilberman , İstanbul, Berlin, Miami; 10_12 Gallery, İstanbul

Institutions and Initiatives:

Contemporary Istanbul Vakfı, İstanbul; Koli Art Space, İstanbul; MAHAL, Çanakkale; NOKS Art Space, İstanbul

CI Bloom, with 3 young participant galleries and the artists they represent, is increasing diversity and dynamism in the sector by participating in the fair for the first time this year.

New galleries and initiatives participating in CI Bloom for the first time this year:

Brieflyart, Istanbul, Belm’art Space, Ankara, 10_12 Gallery, Istanbul, MAHAL, Çanakkale (initiative)

In the press tour of CI Bloom focused on contemporary art, architecture, and gastronomy in Turkey, journalists from publications such as Wallpaper, The Art Newspaper Russia, The National, Infobae, L’officiel Spain, Conde Nast Traveller, Architecture Digest, La Nacion, Tribe Photo Mag, and Widewalls will participate.

Contemporary Istanbul Chairman of the Board Director Ali Güreli stated "CI Bloom has established its place in the art world as the youthful fair of Contemporary Istanbul, bringing dynamism to the contemporary art scene in Turkey and introducing a fresh perspective internationally. CI Bloom aims to reach every corner of Turkey and bring together new players in culture and art with international collectors and art enthusiasts, in line with the creative and free vision of Istanbul. Emphasizing cultural diplomacy to enhance Istanbul's visibility on the international stage and develop Turkey's contemporary art scene, CI Bloom operates with this mission through both domestic and international events. In the third year of CI Bloom, we are delighted to be back at LK Rumeli Halls with our galleries, artists, and partners. We are excited about the increase in new galleries contributing to Turkey's contemporary art scene and the emergence of young galleries and initiatives in Anatolia, which underscores CI Bloom's significant role as a platform. I invite you to join us at CI Bloom to highlight Turkey's vibrant and innovative contemporary art world and to celebrate the joy of spring together. We look forward to hosting you at the 3rd CI Bloom, which will showcase the latest and most innovative works of Turkish contemporary art."

"A Living" Digital World: Living Things

The 3rd edition of CI Bloom will host the Living Things exhibition by media artist Ahmet Said Kaplan in collaboration with DECOL, providing viewers with the opportunity to experience the concept of "living things" in a different and impressive way. Ahmet Said Kaplan, the founding partner and creative director of Turkey's first creative digital media collective DECOL, is exploring innovative ways and possibilities of human-computer interaction. Living Things focuses on concepts such as traditional life and artificial structures, examining the complex interaction between organic and inorganic worlds. Each installation demonstrates how technology can mimic, enhance, and interact with elements of the natural world. The structures interacted with are dynamic and responsive "things" that evolve and adapt. In this area, art lovers will have the chance to experience three major interactive installations: Lumin, Floating Matter, and Mirror Unfold.

Universal Everything Studio's work "1000 Hands" for the first time in Turkey

In its third year at CI Bloom, BMW, distributed in Turkey by Borusan Otomotiv, is showcasing the New BMW X2 in collaboration with Borusan Contemporary alongside Universal Everything Studio's project named "1000 Hands." Represented in the Borusan Contemporary Art Collection, Universal Everything's "1000 Hands Project" consists of interactive drawings produced through a mobile application. In this collective work, dazzling shapes continuously evolve in response to the rising and falling tones of the background music.

Can Mete Paker, the General Manager of BMW MINI BMW Motorrad, expressed great excitement about showcasing the New BMW X2 at CI Bloom, one of Turkey's most prominent contemporary art fairs. He emphasized the model's striking design and advanced technologies, which have captured the attention of consumers from all walks of life. Paker underscored the significant contribution of BMW to the art world, stating that Borusan Otomotiv and BMW Turkey are honored to serve as a source of inspiration. Throughout CI Bloom, they take pride in presenting the 1000 Hands Project, which not only reflects the design ethos of the New BMW X2 but also establishes a tangible link between art and automobiles.

LG OLED x Shepard Fairey

LG OLED presents its global collaboration with Shepard Fairey, a prominent artist, social activist, and founder of the OBEY streetwear brand, at the 3rd edition of CI Bloom for art enthusiasts to enjoy. The exhibition features specially selected works by Shepard Fairey that address some of the most urgent issues facing today's society, displayed on state-of-the-art LG OLED screens.

Blurring the boundary between traditional and commercial art, Fairey expresses his critiques and thoughts through prints, murals, stickers, and posters. Fairey states, "Art is not always intended to be decorative or soothing; it can provoke uncomfortable conversations and stir unsettling emotions."

Kenny Cho, Product Director at LG Turkey, expressed their continued support for art projects in Turkey, stating, "We are delighted to continue our partnership with CI Bloom into its third year, following our collaboration with Shepard Fairey, a significant figure in the contemporary street art movement. We are excited to showcase this collaboration to art enthusiasts through the latest LG OLED screens."

House of Brothers Lounge presents a site-specific installation by young artist Lal Batman in collaboration with host partner Pernod Ricard Turkey at the 3rd edition of CI Bloom.

House of Brothers Lounge will be hosting an encounter for art enthusiasts with the new spatial installation titled "Blended Valley" by multidisciplinary artist Lal Batman. In this installation, Batman blends his video art, digital manipulation, sculpture, and oil painting productions using digital and plastic tools.

Two major exhibition projects from Contemporary Istanbul Foundation:

The Taviloğlu Collection: A Half-Century Journey

Starting with a naive excitement in 1972, Mustafa Taviloğlu's collection has grown over 52 years with great passion and dedication. Organized by the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation, the Taviloğlu collection, which will open simultaneously in five different venues in September, features 2400 artworks along with 300 works by 157 foreign artists.

As a significant supporter of art in Turkey, Taviloğlu's collection, carefully curated with selected works, presents a diverse range of artists, periods, styles, techniques, and mediums, offering both an impressive and broad perspective. With his collection, which he has been expanding and diversifying for 52 years, Mustafa Taviloğlu creates a narrative of art history that is both subjective and objective.

The collection will be exhibited for 4 months at the Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, Artİstanbul Feshane, Müze Gazhane, Haliç Shipyard, Metro Han, and İş Bankası Kibele Art Gallery.

Contemporary Istanbul Foundation in its 5th year, in partnership with Turkish Airlines on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Turkish-Japanese relations

The solo exhibition Mythologiques by Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama will take place in Venice parallel to the 60th International Venice Biennale. 

Curated by Swiss curator Christoph Doswald, the exhibition will be held for 6 months from April 20 to November 24, 2024, at Magazzino No. 41, Marina Militare, Arsenale di Venezia. Mythologiques will interact with the cultural, economic, and social energies of Venice. The exhibition consists of eight large-scale paintings, six 'side altars,' and an monumental work titled "You One Me Erase," creating a lively narrative about cultural complexity and the effects of global design.

Contemporary Istanbul Foundation presents artist Tomokazu Matsuyama's Solo Exhibition in Venice parallel to the 60th Venice Biennale.

In its 5th year and in partnership with Turkish Airlines on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Turkish-Japanese relations, the Contemporary Istanbul Foundation is organizing a solo exhibition by Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama titled "Mythologiques" in Venice alongside the 60th International Venice Biennale. Curated by Swiss curator Christoph Doswald, the exhibition will run from April 20th to November 24th, 2024, for 6 months, at Magazzino No. 41, Marina Militare, Arsenale di Venezia, engaging with the cultural, economic, and social energies of Venice. "Mythologiques" comprises eight large-scale paintings, including six 'side altars,' culminating in the monumental work "You One Me Erase," which creates a vibrant narrative on cultural complexity and the impact of global design influences.

CI Bloom, organized by Contemporary Istanbul, is held in partnership with Borusan Otomotiv, the Turkish distributor of BMW, and LG OLED, supported by Turkish Airlines and Miles & Smiles. The event is hosted by Pernod Ricard Turkiye.