Dazzling array of artworks on display at 14th Istanbul Biennial

A piece of art work is on display during the 14th edition of the Istanbul Biennial on Sept 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Istanbul, a storied city rich in history and natural beauty, located in both Asia and Europe, has become an important city in the art world with a thriving gallery scene and several important art events to which leading artists, collectors and cognoscenti in the art world flock on a regular basis. With the 14th Istanbul Biennial opening on September 5th til November 2nd, now is one of the best times for art lovers to visit, as autumn is also when the weather is at its finest.

The 14th Istanbul Biennial has the theme of "Saltwater: a Theory of Thought Forms". The theme is fitting because salt water is all around: in the Bosporus, the sliver of water separating the two continents; the Marmara Sea; and the Black Sea. Admission is free.

According to Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, who conceptualized the Biennial, "Salt water is one of the most ubiquitous materials in the world. Sodium in our bodies makes our neurological system, and thus our vital systems, work; it literally keeps us alive. At the same time, salt water is the most corrosive material threat to the digital age."

In past Biennial editions, the show has been anchored in one centrally-located venue on the Bosporus, but this year it is spread all over a city on the scale of Beijing in three dozen locations, including the picturesque ruins of a villa where Leon Trotsky lived in magnificent exile on an island where princes were once imprisoned, as well as on boats, hotel rooms and a Black Sea light house.

You need at least three days to take in all the exhibitions. Thus the Biennial's strength and weakness is the challenge of covering so much territory and experiencing 1,500 art works. Only true art-lovers may be up for the challenge of seeing it all but mere mortals can pick and choose and might be happy enough to visit the Istanbul Modern Museum and the nearby Italian High School and the former Greek Primary School.

One of my favorites in this very politically correct show is at the Istanbul Modern and deals with the power of art through the struggles for Aboriginal rights of the Yolngu people of North-east Arnhem Land in Queensland, and how their struggles resulted in their rights being acknowledged throughout Australia. A colorful series of drawings on brown paper made in 1947, the Bark Petitions of 1963, and the Saltwater Paintings of 1998–2008, are on display. Several Yoingu people were in attendance and performed traditional music.

Matching the ambition of the Biennial's size and scope is a nine hour film by the young Chinese filmmaker Cheng Ran. "In Course of the Miraculous" is based on three real-life stories and is being screened at the Italian High School.

Although only a two-day event coinciding with the Biennial opening, Art International featured 82 art galleries from all over the world at the scenic Haliç Congress Center. I enjoyed taking a ferry to and from the venue, passing picturesque mosques and the medieval Galata Tower.

Several Chinese artists were represented. My favorite was Wu Zhengyan, shown by Dirimart Gallery in Istanbul.

Artist Wu was a teacher who studied art and became a fulltime artist in 2006. She favors the colorful Dongbei fabric patterns popular two generations ago in China, and now making a comeback among some fashion designers, and combines both Chinese and Western imagery. I was drawn to the patterns as well as the details hidden among the leaves and flowers.

Selling Chinese artists in Turkey is a real challenge and labor of love. Dirimart and Cagla Cabaoglu Gallery are pioneers attempting to present Chinese artists to collectors in Turkey.

Shortly after the Biennial closes comes the increasingly highly-regarded, decade old Contemporary Istanbul from November 12th-15th also at Haliç Congress Center. Last year it was named the 'fifth most visited art fair in the world' in 2014 by Artnews and will feature more than 100 galleries.