From speed to substance in Istanbul’s art scene |
Welcome back to Al-Monitor Istanbul.
We begin the year not by looking back, but by looking ahead. The first edition of 2026 opens with a close reading of what lies ahead in the cultural landscape, from shifting art geographies to the return of craft. We check in on new exhibitions across Istanbul, pause at a table in Akaretler where food and cocktails are conceived together and look closely at a fragment of Sumela Monastery.
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Nazlan (@NazlanEr on X)
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1. Leading the week: Friends and trends — what to watch in 2026
Onur Hasturk’s “Surname” series (photo courtesy of the artist)
If the past few years were marked by speed and saturation in arts, 2026 points toward a recalibration. Feride Celik, a versatile cultural operator whose work spans academia, art criticism, curating and art-led travel, summed up upcoming trends and emerging artists for Al-Monitor.
Not just AI, but art and craft. The merging of artistic practice and craftsmanship will continue, with artists seeking unique materials or returning to traditional techniques as a counterpoint to the dominance of AI-driven production. Craft is resurfacing as a way to restore material intelligence, patience and authorship.
Not just looking, but experiencing. “Experimental and immersive practices designed to engage more than sight alone are set to expand, while the relationship between art and gastronomy will deepen as sensory experience gains prominence,” Celik told Al-Monitor. The long-invoked promise of multisensory art is becoming a concrete curatorial concern.
Not just traditional centers, but new locations. While Seoul and Hong Kong remain influential, China, Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula continue to expand museum infrastructures and experimental biennials. More recently, Central Asia has entered the picture, with new institutions and exhibitions drawing international attention to a region rapidly redefining its cultural voice. For Turkey, this shift matters: Istanbul still functions as a cultural corridor between the West and Asia, even as cultural production moves away from the city toward smaller, craft-driven localities.
Not just big collectors, but new players. The market, too, is adjusting. Celik points to the rise of modest collectors........