ISTANBUL, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China remains a promising market for the global contemporary art industry thanks to its vibrant artistic environment and a growing base of young collectors, Ali Gureli, founder of Contemporary Istanbul (CI), Türkiye's premier international art platform, told Xinhua in an interview.
Speaking on Wednesday during the preview day of the 5th edition of CI BLOOM, the spring fair of CI, Gureli highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening cultural ties between Türkiye and China.
"China has a very positive environment with many young collectors who are deeply interested in art," Gureli said. "It is easy to communicate and build friendships, which is the main foundation for starting any long-term business and artistic exchange."
Gureli revealed that as part of CI's future vision, the organization is planning a "Focus Asia" program to establish a permanent artistic bridge with the East. He said they are already in communication with leading Asian institutions, such as the M+ Museum and K11 Art Foundation, to foster mutual exhibitions and cultural dialogue.
"Asia is becoming a major center for curatorial production and international artistic dialogue," he said. "We aim to educate our local collectors about the Asian art landscape and create a platform for long-term collaboration."
The fair, which runs until Sunday, features 28 contemporary art galleries and showcases more than 800 artworks by 321 artists.
To ensure the sustainability of the local art market amidst global economic uncertainty, the fair implemented a specialized support model this year, which includes a 30 percent reduction in participation fees and fixed exchange rates for exhibitors to mitigate currency volatility and inflation.
Supported by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and partners including Turkish Airlines and BMW Türkiye, the fair continues to serve as a regional hub for creative energy while looking toward broader international horizons in the East. ■
