Hot Spot Istanbul2014
by Beral Madra
Ever since the first Istanbul Biennial in 1987, art has been an essential driver of cultural and civil dynamics. This long development has led to a critical mass which, in an abstract sense, has now manifested itself in the exhibition 'Hot Spot Istanbul' - a group project on Turkish abstract and conceptual art. Held in the Zurich-based Museum Haus Konstruktiv in summer 2013, this is the first comprehensive exhibition featuring a new generation of artists, dealing equally with local roots and global artistic questions. The exhibition and accompanying catalogue give a tangible impression of the city's vibrant energy - a city that has been extremely cosmopolitan for many generations. 'Hot Spot Istanbul' makes one thing very clear: this megalopolis is a bridge, not a border.