As former director of the Istanbul Design Biennial Özlem Yalım Özkaraoğlu says goodbye, the reins are being handed over to Deniz Ova, who will lead the Biennial through its second edition.
Born in Germany, Ova began her career as an assistant director in several theatre productions including at the Stuttgart State and City Theatre. Ova has worked with the Biennial’s organiser, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), since 2007 and has been involved in many international projects.
Some of her past work has included developing and organising festivals and events including the 400th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey, Şimdi Now Sweden and Denmark, Spot On: Turkey Now, Turkey at one Glance, Excerpts from Life and Culture, the Frankfurt Book Fair and Turkey Department of Music and Performing Arts. She has also previously co-ordinated the Turkey pavilion at the Venice Biennale and the artist residency studio Turquie at Cite International des Arts.
Her predecessor, Özkaraoğlu, will remain onboard as a consultant for the upcoming biennial while Ova pursues her directorial duties.
Featuring a range of creative arts including urban design, architecture, interior design, industrial design, graphic design, new media design and fashion design, the aim of the biennial is to provide an awareness of the importance of design.
The theme of the first biennial was ‘Imperfection’ and it featured a range of different events including an academic program, design walks, film screenings and a seminar program. It was also visited by an impressive 44,600 people.
What’s in store for the second edition remains to be seen, as conceptual framework won’t be announced until November this year.
The biennial itself takes place from 18 October to 14 December 2014.
