Istanbul Children and Youth Art Biennial / Press Release
24 April 2016
To the Esteemed Members of the Press and the Public,
The 4th Istanbul Children and Youth Art Biennial is taking place from 19 April to 23 May. Having set itself the mission of “creating the right climate for raising creative new generations”, the Biennial carries out its work in partnership with, and with the support of, public institutions and bodies, local governments, universities and nearly 40 NGOs respected in their fields.
The Biennial is organised by a large group of volunteers who have come together to develop the creativity of our children aged 4–18, the bright future of our country, to increase their capacity to make art, and to present the works they produce to audiences on a high-quality platform.
The exhibitions, the Biennial’s main event, are being held at Antrepo 1 and MKM Beşiktaş Çağdaş, among Istanbul’s largest exhibition spaces. The Biennial Programme, which includes nearly 200 events led by expert artists, educators and academics, has rich content that seeks to broaden the way teachers, students and parents look at art. Special efforts have been made to ensure that many disadvantaged groups – from children living in prison because their mothers are serving sentences, people with disabilities and seasonal agricultural workers to Syrian children living in camps – are represented at the Biennial through their works.
At a time when many events and organisations in the arts are being cancelled, the Biennial is continuing on its path with determination despite many setbacks. After Istanbul, it will also travel to the TRNC and Hatay.
This year’s Biennial received strong interest, with 1,600 projects submitted from 48 provinces across Turkey and from 10 countries, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Syria, Sweden, the USA and France.
Continuing its work with the support of some 60 institutions and organisations, the Biennial has positioned itself above politics, in keeping with the commitment stated in its mission to embrace all our children and young people, who are the future of our country. In line with the Biennial Application Terms prepared in this spirit, our Biennial curators were expected to select projects according to the following criteria: projects should not contain political symbols or othering elements; should not encourage harmful habits or substance addiction; should not contain violence; should be creative and innovative; should not be the work of adults; and should fit this year’s concept. When it became clear before the opening of the exhibition that some projects did not meet these criteria, those projects were removed from the exhibition. The engagement of Pasaj Artist Initiative, one of the Biennial’s curators, was terminated because it did not act in accordance with the criteria and standards set for the selection of works to be exhibited, and because of attitudes and conduct that put the Biennial Management in a difficult position. In addition, statements insinuating that the projects were censored and seeking to discredit the Biennial management are regarded as a great injustice to the other participating children and young people and their families, to the team that has been working voluntarily on the Biennial for nearly two years, and to the Biennial’s supporters.
The 4th Istanbul Children and Youth Art Biennial will continue with all its enthusiasm until 23 May, in line with the planned programme, with the colourful works and participation of thousands of children and young people.
Yours faithfully,
Biennial Management
