IST. Festival Asks What is Really Real?
In the opening panel, Jeff Koons discussed the importance of putting care into your work and trusting that with that, the aesthetic will follow. He also explored the importance of artists following their intuition and creating works that feel ancient and biological. Speaking to his time consuming artworks that are taking residence on the moon, Koons states that he doesn't actually like to spend too long on a project, insisting that artworks should give off more energy than what is put into them. Unsurprisingly, the everpresent topic throughout the days in Istanbul was the use of AI. Koons suggested that the advancing technology can be a tool for community and creativity, reminding us that it can’t replicate human emotions such as fearing death or experiencing joy.
Stefan Sagmeister, in discussion with Cultured editor-at-large Julia Halperin, made the case for optimism in the digital age, describing new technologies as instruments for progress. Stating that “optimism makes rational sense,” Sagmeister expressed confidence that more will use AI for good than bad. However, he also explained that he looks to break modernity in art by making it clear things were made by humans by implementing elements such as handwriting. Stefan went on to discuss the importance of keeping time sacred, mentioning that in addition to taking breaks from commercial work he also takes a twelve month sabbatical every seven years.
Lou Doillon reflected on the performative aspects of social media, “I think we’re the first generation to censor ourselves as we’re creating. That used to be external, but now, I often think ‘am I allowed?’ as I’m writing or drawing.” She also questioned the blurred lines of what’s considered intimate when it comes to the “weird tool” that is Instagram.
Photography duo Inez and Vinoodh, in conversation with Timothée Verrecchia, looked back on over 40 years of producing manipulated images across various moments, media, and technologies, with Inez van Lamsweerde maintaining that “There is no reality; we are creating everything.” The conversation also explored the idea that selling art, or any product, requires the manipulation of reality. One example being that fashion photography, through staged truths of hair, makeup, styling and lighting, tells the story that glamour is the road to happiness.
Kid Cudi, in conversation with Alphan Eşeli, explored several themes from his new book including addiction, mental health, and his ever-expanding artistic interests. Gaye Su Akyol expressed that consistent fantasy is reality and mentioned how she blurred those lines by creating lucid dreams. In the same discussion, José Parlá spoke of how his time in a coma, during which AI technology monitored his health, shifted his perception of reality when he awoke.
On the final day of panels, Ekin Bernay explored how art, through practices such as dance therapy, can heal people while Malgosia Bela showed her short film which questioned the inspiration versus annoyance of being a modern muse between film and sound.
Outside the panel discussions, the city itself became an extension of the festival through NEARNESS: A Neighborhood Exhibition, curated by Demet Müftüoğlu Eşeli. Located in the district of Arnavutköy, the exhibition brought art out into the neighborhood, embedding it within everyday spaces as artists were invited to turn local streets and storefronts into part of the experience.
Highlights from the exhibition included José Parlá’s ceramic works exploring cultural memory and urban identity, Stefan Brüggemann’s text piece “ONLINE, DISCONNECTED” displayed against a gold facade, Laurent Grasso’s neon “Panoptes” eyes watching over the ISTANBUL’74 building, Sheree Hovsepian’s projected video The Difference Between the Signals, and Ben Frost’s site-specific sound installation exploring perception and reality.
Works by Turkish artists including Mehmet Ali Uysal, Burhan Doğançay, Ertuğrul Güngör, Faruk Ertekin, Osman Dinç, Gülay Semercioğlu, Kemal Seyhan, and Lal Batman appeared alongside international artists, scattered across local cafés, shops, and public spaces, fusing art with the rhythm of daily life. As the city of Istanbul continues to shift and expand, the festival remains a point of connection between disciplines and people and between what is real and what isn’t.
