Despite uncertainty and ongoing tension inside Turkey, organizers of the relatively young annual ArtAnkara art fair in the country’s capital say they are proceeding as planned with the next edition of the event, currently slated for March 15–19 at the Congresium International Convention & Exhibition Center.
artnet News spoke to Liudmila Capsamun, coordinator of the contemporary fair, about how organizers and participants are absorbing recent events and moving forward. When asked about the effects of recent attacks and the failed July 15 military coup, Capsamun said, “like all Turkish companies we are shaken and affected because of the political and economic instability in Turkey, which negatively impacted not just the art market but all industry sectors. Taking into account that ArtAnkara will take place next year in March, we truly believe that during the next nine months the political tension in the country will calm down and collectors/art-lovers will keep loving, supporting and buying art.”
Asked whether any changes have been made to the program, Capsamun said the fair is offering a number of incentives for visiting gallerists, including booth discounts to exhibitors who commit to participating early. She said the fair is looking forwarding to “welcoming international galleries from European and neighboring countries, along with Turkish exhibitors.” She added that organizers of the event “strongly believe that increasing cultural and art activities is one of the most important ways to cultivate happiness in the difficult period they are currently experiencing.”
Ali Gureli chairman of Contemporary Istanbul said the fair is also moving ahead with plans for its next edition in November. “More so than ever, we believe it is important to continue to reflect Istanbul’s place as a vibrant cultural center for the cultural community that live and work here and in the region.” Gureli described the fair as “uniquely positioned . . . in that we have a distinct emphasis on also exhibiting and supporting art from Turkey and the wider region which includes the Caucasus, the Black Sea, Russia and the Middle East and well as international art; last year CI included art from 25 countries.”
Capsamun summed it up: “We agree with the proverb: “The longest day will have an end, and though it’s cloudy in the morning, the sun may shine bright enough at noon.”