The 7th International Istanbul Biennial organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts will take place between 21
September - 17 November 2001. The 7th Biennial will be curated by Yuko Hasegawa under the title EGOFUGAL: Fugue from
Ego for the Next Emergence and will host 63 artists. The 7th International Šstanbul Biennial will mainly be realized in four
historical venues, namely the Imperial Mint, Hagia Eirene Museum, Yerebatan Cistern, all located in the heart of the old city
and the Beylerbeyi Palace, on the Asian side of Istanbul. There will be a number of satellite venues in different districts
throughout the city.
The Imperial Mint buildings make up a complex, built over a period extending from the 18th century to the early 1900's. The
Mint moved to its building next to Hagia Eirene Church in the garden of the Topkapš Palace in 1726 and continued its operation
in these premises until it was transferred to its present building in 1967. Comprising rare examples of existant 18th century
industrial architecture, the Imperial Mint perfectly embodies the idea of a city within a city. The Imperial Mint is situated Inside
the first yard of the Topkapš Palace in Sultanahmet and will be open from 10am to 7pm except Tuesdays.
Hagia Eirene Museum which is the second most important Byzantine church in Istanbul after St. Sophia is located in the first
yard of the Topkapš Palace. This Byzantine-style basilica, which was built at the beginning of the 4th century by Emperor
Constantine I (307-337) is one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries in Istanbul. After the conquest of Istanbul, for a while it was
used as an arsenal, then in the first half of the 18th century as a storehouse of arms for the Ministry of War. The exhibition of
Anatolian Civilizations in 1983 gave the church a new function. Since that time the building is used for various cultural events
such as concerts and performances and exhibitions. Hagia Eirene Museum is located inside the first yard of the Topkapš Palace
in Sultanahmet and will be open from 10am to 7pm except Tuesdays.
Yerebatan Cistern which was built by Justinian in 532 was also known as the Basilica Cistern during the Byzantine period
because of the Stoa Basilica laying underneath. It was used to store water for the Great Palace and the other buildings in the
vicinity. The cistern, which was called Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace) during the Ottoman period is the largest and the most
magnificent of the many underground cisterns of the city. The first restoration work in the cistern started in 1968 and again in
1985. The cistern was opened to public in 1987. Yerebatan Cistern is located at Yerebatan Caddesi No:13 in Sultanahmet and
will be open from 10am to 6pm daily.
Beylerbeyi Palace is the largest and most elegant Ottoman Palace on the Asian Shore of the Bosphorus. The Beylerbeyi Palace
built by Mahmut II, constructed in 1861-65 to take on the official functions of the Topkapš Palace by Sarkis Balyan, a famous
Armenian architect. The palace, constructed entirely from timber, was partially damaged by a fire during the reign of
Abdulmecid. His successor Abdulaziz had the entire timber structure demolished and constructed a marble-and-stone palace on
the same spot which was designed by Agop and Sarkis Balyan. Beylerbeyi Palace, at the Beylerbeyi Square will be open from
10am to 5pm except Mondays & Thursdays.
Like many of the artists Alberto Garutti who evidences a strong style in his public projects will create a public project in Istanbul.
He will realise his streetlight project on the Bosphorus Bridge, which connects Europe and Asia. Garutti's installation will be
viewed from both sides of Bosphorus.
James Turrell will also create a public work for the Istanbul Biennial. Turrell proposes to use Leander's Tower located on a small
island at the entrance of Bosphorus in the centre of Europe and Asia that serves as a light tower for the passing ships. As it is
one of the most important structures of the city, when this work is completed, it will be a symbolic piece for the 7th Istanbul
Biennial, and central to presenting the concept Field of Collective Consciousness. Turrell's light installation will be seen only at
night from both sides of Bosphorus.
Rirkrit Tiravanija proposes a film screening at one of the squares of Istanbul. Each of four films to be screened is determined
by a survey done in Turkey and will be a meeting point for the Istanbulites for three nights. Film projections will take place on
22, 23, 24 September between 21:00-24:00 in front of Tüyap Sergi Salonu, Tepebaž.
On Kawara's ''Pure Consciousness'' will be exhibited at the Atlškaršnca Kindergarten, which will be open to visitors on weekends
from 10am to 7 pm at Silahžör Caddesi Fšršn Sokak No:7 Bomonti, Žižli.
Maja Bajevic's performance will take place at the Cemberlitas Hamam on 20 September 2001 at 11:00, 21-22-23-24
September at 13.30. The video documentation of Bajevic's performance will be exhibited at the same Hamam from 25
September to 17 November, 2001.
Fuat Sahinler & Murat Sahinler & Ahmet Soysal and Kemal Onsoy will contribute to the 7th Istanbul Biennial with their Billboards
throughout the city.
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