Istanbul Design Biennale

The second edition of the Istanbul Design Biennial, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), will be held between 18 October – 14 December 2014. The title of the biennial “The Future Is Not What It Used To Be” was announced by curator Zoë Ryan few days ago.  

At the opening speech held in FerahFeza in Karaköy, İKSV Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı underlined that the Istanbul Design Biennial has attracted high interest in Turkey and in the international arena, received positive responses and has been pivotal in opening up new areas of discussion in the field of design and added: “With the biennial, Istanbul has strengthened its position in the design world. Fruitful dialogues have been developed with highly esteemed design events all around the world in order to initiate new collaborations. Benefiting from the experience of the first biennial, we believe that the second Istanbul Design Biennial will further the success of this biennial and become even more effective, productive, thought-provoking, creative and inspirational. With the aim of contributing to the accessibility and outreach of the event, admission to the next Istanbul Design Biennial will be free of charge.”

The second Istanbul Design Biennial asks “What is the future now?” As Ryan explained, the biennial asks how can we reclaim the manifesto for the 21st century and beyond, not only in the production of texts, but through actions, services, provocations, or objects and seize the potential to incite inventive outcomes? As a platform for generating new ideas, the biennial invites submissions for contemporary design manifestos that explore the complex role of design in today’s society.

Ryan also added that the biennial will embrace designs that are visionary, yet grounded in everyday realities—innovative approaches that are transforming how we see, interact with, and understand the world. The biennial will articulate a portrait of design activity today, mapping the often unexpected ways the field intersects with contemporary life: with basic human needs such as food, shelter, health and safety, but also with less tangible issues, including love, play, fear, discord, abundance, sustainability, mobility, accessibility, community, and geopolitics.

Seeding ideas and fostering dialogue and debate, the 2nd Istanbul Design Biennial will feature new commissions and projects selected through a two-stage call for ideas. The design of the hub, catalogue, and visual identity will be created by SUPERPOOL and Project Projects. The promotional campaign of the biennial will be prepared by Alametifarika.

The 2nd Istanbul Design Biennial encourages individuals from any field or background related to design to contribute. The biennial is interested in receiving concepts for manifestos in all forms, including, but not limited to, images, animations, videos, graphics, diagrams, and/or texts. Ultimately, the form of each contribution should be determined by whatever most effectively communicates the idea. The deadline for submissions is 1 February 2014.