This year Contemporary Istanbul (CI) presents Focus America, spotlighting influential galleries and voices from across the United States, alongside a two-day public programme examining the evolving global art landscape. Focus Americabrings together a group of galleries and influential art professionals whose work and collecting practices are shaping contemporary art discourse in the U.S.
Contemporary Istanbul presents
Focus America
On its 20th anniversary, Contemporary Istanbul turns its attention to the United States, a country navigating a period of profound change. Economic pressures, political shifts, and evolving institutional priorities are reshaping how culture is experienced and consumed, how art is created, presented, and supported. Long-established museums are redefining their missions, public art is taking on new urgency, and artists are finding fresh ways to speak out about the state of world.
Focus America brings these conversations to Istanbul through leading voices in museum leadership, public programming, and artist-led initiatives, as well spectacular gallery presentations. Highlights include Jennifer Stockman, President Emeritus of the Guggenheim Museum, and Anne Pasternak, Director of the Brooklyn Museum, sharing their approaches to guiding institutions through change with an eye on the horizon; Jean Cooney, Director of Times Square Arts discussing the role of public space in civic life; and artist Summer Wheat reflecting on her residency at Aliée Istanbul. The program features inspiring presentations by Amanita, Friedrichs Pontone / Pontone Gallery, Revolver Galería, and a curated selection of other distinguished participants.
In dialogue with Istanbul’s own layered histories and shifting cultural map, Focus America considers what happens when cultural coordinates are disrupted, and how resilience, experimentation, and collaboration can redefine the art landscape for the years ahead.
