September in Istanbul: Events of Art, Culture, Film

As the country welcomes September and the new season, Türkiye offers many cultural events for its citizens and any tourists willing to visit. This month is usually associated with the start of schools and the end of summer, thus resulting in a more pessimistic approach. Yet, this year, with the immense variety of activities offered, Türkiye is changing this perception. Below is a list of just a few of the many activities an Istanbulite can participate in, or some events one can have a look at and, most importantly, enjoy throughout the month.

Salt Galata: Dark World (Karanlik Dunya)

Established by Garanti BBVA, the new exhibition of Salt Galata is based on an interdisciplinary research project on the collaborative works of an artist and a screenwriter. It explores the movie of the same name, written by Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu and directed by Metin Erksan. “The exhibition traces the narratives surrounding the film and the questions raised by altered versions, public debates, rumors, conflicting accounts, and archival materials.” (Saltonline)

With the works of the artist Mike Bode and screenwriter Caner Yalçın, this exhibition does not reconstruct the original film but instead reconfigures its layers through varied mediums.

This exhibition is open to visitors until December 14, 2025.

Arter: Franz Erhard Walther: Attempt to be a Sculpture

Curated by Selen Ansen in collaboration with the Franz Erhard Walther Foundation, this exhibition is available at Arter, Dolapdere. The roots of the exhibition date back to 1958, when a young man decides to sit before a sheet of canvas and attempt to become a sculpture. Sitting cross-legged and barefoot, he spits out a mixture he prepared, asking a friend to take his pictures.

Since his early works in the 1960s, Walther has birthed a new concept of sculpture that transforms the living body into a material while allowing the viewer to become an “actor” who engages in the realization of the work through their imagination or bodily action.

Shortly, this exhibition demonstrates the approach Walther has brought to the relationship of art and the body. The artist’s iconic work “First Work Group,” which uses “living” materials like fabric, air, and movement, challenges the common perception of sculpture as static and complete. Arter allows the visitors to engage with 12 different exhibition copies of the First Work Set on designated days and hours until October 5, 2025.

Salt Beyoğlu: We've Been at the Tapestry Studio Since the 90s

Again from Salt, this upcoming exhibition focuses on the perspective of art education at the Carpet Workshop on behalf of the Painting Department of Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts.

While exploring the relationship with daily life issues, this exhibition highlights the potential of creative opposition and collective production.

This exhibition opens on September 19, 2025, and it will be available until March 1, 2026.

18th Istanbul Biennial: Three-Legged Cat

The 18th Istanbul Biennial, curated by Christine Tohmé, will run between 2025 and 2027 in three phases. Its first part, Three-Legged Cat, will take place from September 20 to November 23, 2025, and will be free of charge. Featuring 47 artists from more than 30 countries, the main theme of this phase is self-preservation and future possibilities.

The exhibition spans eight venues along the Beyoğlu–Karaköy axis, including the Galata Greek School, Zihni Han, and Muradiye Han. In addition to the exhibition, a public program will include performances, film screenings, and DJ sets.

Edited by: Ömer Gökce