Istanbul Now: Where The Contemporary Thrives
Istanbul always defies expectation for me. A city layered in history, myth, and memory, it could easily be overwhelmed by the weight of its own millennia. Yet Istanbul refuses to stand still. Instead, it constantly pushes the narrative forward - through art, food, architecture, and the restless current of conversation flowing between its European and Asian shores. From concept stores in Galata to rooftop cocktails in Pera, here's a look at contemporary Istanbul.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 18: A view from Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkiye's first museum of modern and contemporary art and designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop as the new building has been opened on May 4, in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 18, 2023. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The heart of contemporary Istanbul is Istanbul Modern, the city's landmark for art. The museum originally opened in 2004, but in 2023, the collection took up residence in a gorgeous glass box syle building on the water's edge at Galataport. Designed by Renzo Piano, the three level museum is a celebration of sustainability. The shimmering façade is made of 3D-formed aluminum panels that reflect the changing light of the Bosphorus, creating high-efficiency lighting and heating systems, while the panoramic terrace doubles as a water collecting pool which then cools down the museum in the hot months, and it's a great spot to catch the sunset.
İstanbul,Turkey October 25,2024:Istanbul Modern is known as Turkey's first modern and contemporary art museum. I
'The serenity of its terrace is something I always appreciate after work,' says Ümit Mesci, Curatorial Director of Istanbul Modern,
Istanbul Modern's collection shows off the progression of modern and contemporary Turkish art, from early 20th-century masters to today's artist including pieces by Fahrelnissa Zeid, Sarkis, Ayşe Erkmen, Gülsün Karamustafa, Nil Yalter, and İnci Eviner, as well as international artists like Mark Bradford, Alicja Kwade, and Haegue Yang.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 18: An interior view of Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, Turkiye's first museum of modern and contemporary art and designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop as the new building has been opened on May 4, in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 18, 2023. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
"Artists today are not just making paintings or sculptures — we are creating new languages for a world that doesn't exist yet,' says Refik Anadol one of Türkiye's most celebrated contemporary artists. Internationally known for pioneering work at the intersection of art, technology, and memory, Anadol returned to Istanbul for his groundbreaking installation Inner Portrait, at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM). Created in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, Inner Portrait is an immersive 'data sculpture'. Translation? The visual translation of the emotional responses of four first-time travelers to Tokyo, Istanbul, and Petra into an ever-shifting landscapes of data, cascading light and color. AKM is jut the first stop on Inner Portraits global tour.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - NOVEMBER 27: Inner Portrait, Refik Anadol Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul, Turkiye on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The city's contemporary spirit reaches a crescendo each September with Contemporary Istanbul, the city's flagship art fair. Now celebrating its 20th edition, the fair brings together more than 50 galleries from around the world, showcasing a dynamic mix of local and international talent. Bridging Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Contemporary Istanbul has become a key East-meets-West stop on the global art circuit — perfectly positioned after New York's Armory Show and just before Art Basel Miami Beach. This year's edition takes place September 25-28.
'I try not to get lost in nostalgia,' says Mesci, reflecting on the ever-shifting character of Istanbul. In a city of nearly 20 million, where centuries-old streets collide with constant reinvention, every neighborhood tells a different story and everyone has their own favorite corner.
On the Asian side, Kadıköy and neighboring Moda pulse with creativity, where street murals, vintage shops, and waterfront cafés hum with new ideas. Across the water, Beyoğlu, home to Istanbul Modern and a constellation of galleries and theaters, feels, in Mesci's words, 'the most contemporary face of the city.'
Istanbul Turkey Beyoglu Istiklal shopping street daytime with a crowd of people walking around. Several stores line the street.
Writer and creative consultant Lucy Scovell is drawn to the intimate ateliers and concept stores tucked into Galata's winding streets, the playful cafés of Balat, and the breezy, leafy calm of Bebek, where the Bosphorus shimmers just beyond elegant storefronts.
To slip into the city's creative personality, Scovell suggests a coffee at Minoa Bookstore Café in Pera, where writers and designers spill across tables, or a sunset cocktail at Soho House Istanbul's rooftop, where the Bosphorus glows gold and blue at dusk.
getty
In Istanbul, food is another art form whether it's bakeries, street vendors, restaurants or esnaf lokantası, shopkeeper's restaurants. And frankly, it's timeless. 'Türkiye has a multidimensional 'ordinary' richness, from Balkan to Caucasian to Arabic cuisines,' says Mesci, who prefers lokantası, to any fine dining.
Scovell cuts to the point and lists Smelt & Co. in Balat for its inventive, playful dishes, Yeni Lokanta in Beyoğlu, for Turkish classics with a fresh, elegant twist, and for skyline views and refined dining, Mikla, does not disappoint. I love them all but also find myself queuing for midye dolma (mussels) at every street vendor. Eager to dive deeper? Culinary Backstreets leads tours through Istanbul's edible history.
Anadolu Hisari (Anatolian Castle) in Istanbul, Turkey
In spite of my love for contemporary Istanbul, its boundary-pushing art, and endless reinvention, I can't help but stay in the past. There is nothing quite like Çırağan Palace Kempinski, with its Romanesque grandeur and gilded Ottoman halls. The palace floats along the Bosphorus, and is a reminder that in Istanbul, you can hop off the tram, slip past the crowds, and step back in time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
I've been a United Airlines flight attendant for 31 years. It's a demanding job and it's about time we get the raises we deserve.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jodye Beard-Brown, a 58-year-old United Airlines flight attendant in Houston. It has been edited for length and clarity. In 1994, I had just returned to Houston after living and modeling in France. I missed my family and wasn't sure what I wanted to do next. I just knew that I loved traveling. I heard that Continental Airlines (which merged with United Airlines in 2012) was hiring, so I submitted my résumé. I conducted a series of interviews and was subsequently hired and sent to do six weeks of training. When I got married, my husband was in the Navy, and the job was terrific because I could move and not have to start over. It's been a great career. You would think I'm very senior, but I'm not I'm in my 31st year, which is amazing, but there are flight attendants who've been here for 50 years. It's easy to stay around. You can choose how much or how little you want to fly. There's also the travel perk, which is why most of us got into the industry to begin with. Another bonus is the flexibility. You can trade trips with other flight attendants and fly more or less as needed. Seniority determines everything from bidding for flight destinations to vacation time, to whether you take the first break on shift. I still can't fly to the most desirable European cities, such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, or Sydney and Narita, because I'm not senior enough. I fly to São Paulo this month Those flights depart in the evening, which is convenient. I have my regular day, and then I head to the airport and check in at the gate around 6:30 p.m. That flight is about nine hours. We serve dinner, and then people settle in to rest. We serve breakfast before arrival. São Paulo is only a two-to-three-hour time change for me. In contrast, Paris — one of my favorite places in the world — is a seven-hour time change on a 24-hour layover. I have to hit the ground running to experience the city. I also work on domestic flights, which is one of the perks of my job. I can fly domestic, international, or both in the same month. Each month, around the 15th, we bid a line, or request a certain schedule, for the following month. The job may seem glamorous, but it's incredibly physical By the time you're on the airplane, you might've walked a mile already. Physically, we need to be able to push a 70- to 80-pound bar cart up the aisle. I've had many friends who've been hurt while lifting luggage into the overhead compartment; this can easily happen. If you have young kids, being away from home can be tough. Having a solid support system helps. You might miss events or holidays, especially early on when you're not senior enough to get Christmas off. If you live alone, having a pet can be tricky, but you make the best of it. It's all part of the journey. Times have changed since when I started People were much more polite back then — now we're seeing more physical altercations on airplanes. I especially noticed that shift after the pandemic. Where we previously enforced safety with seat belts and recently with face masks, it can feel like you're policing people — or like they feel threatened by you — when you're simply asking them to follow the airline's rules. My motto has always been to kill them with kindness. It's always a lot easier if you respond with a smile. Our union recently reached a tentative deal for a new contract I've only seen highlights of the contract and haven't seen the entire contract yet. If the contract were signed, voted on, and passed, this would be my first raise. However, it's not just the raise. We also want to get the work rules right, like how long we can work without sleep, etc. We deserve that. As for pay, I'm at my top out, which is $67 an hour, compared to American Airlines, which is at $82. Most major airlines have renewed their contracts within the last year or two. We're in our fourth year without a contract, so it's about time. Half pay during boarding is much better than no pay, so there's that. I'd recommend this job to anyone who enjoys being part of a team and thrives on working with people My advice to those starting out is to see this job not just as a paycheck, but as a chance to explore every layover destination. Everyone gets tired, but it still surprises me how many people don't take advantage of the biggest perk of this job. If you're a people person who loves a change of scenery, this role is a great fit. While the job itself is consistent, your crew and the passengers you serve are always changing. I don't have retirement plans at the moment. I've told friends that I need a code word because I'll keep working as long as I can. I'll only stop if I can't pick up bags or if I forget where things go. I'm also an artist and love to use traveling as inspiration. There are still so many places on my bucket list.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump's policies disrupt global tourism
The United States is facing a significant decline in international tourism in 2025, with foreign visitor numbers and spending forecast to drop sharply. Analysts link the downturn to a series of policy moves by President Donald Trump, including new travel bans, heightened border scrutiny, and rollbacks on civil rights protections. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that these developments could cost the US economy $12.5 billion this year, deepening the trade deficit as inbound tourism is considered an export. According to the US International Trade Administration, foreign air arrivals to the US fell by 2.5% through April compared with the same period last year, with a notable 10% drop in March following the announcement of tariffs targeting Canada, China and Mexico. Canada, the top source of international visitors to the US, has seen a 15% decline in cross-border travel in April alone. Major European airlines have begun reducing flights to key US cities, including New York, Miami, and Las Vegas. Spending by international tourists is projected to decrease by 7% in 2025, marking the first drop since the pandemic recovery began. The World Travel & Tourism Council warns that the US is the only major global destination expected to record a fall in tourism revenue this year, with earnings from foreign visitors falling below $169 billion. The council does not expect US tourism spending to return to pre-Covid-19 levels before 2030. At least 12 countries have issued travel advisories urging caution when visiting the United States. Nations such as Canada, Germany, France, and the UK have warned their citizens about the risk of detention, denial of entry, or the seizure of personal devices. LGBTQ+ travellers have also been cautioned by governments including Ireland and the Netherlands following US policy changes affecting gender recognition. As a result, many tourists are choosing alternative destinations. Tourism Economics reports that global flight bookings to the US from May through July are down 11% compared to 2024. Canadian bookings are off by a third, a drop that could eliminate $6 billion in spending and more than 40,000 US jobs. Countries such as Japan and Vietnam are emerging as winners in the redirected tourism flow, with Japan reporting a record number of monthly visitors. Among the 20 US cities most dependent on international tourism, 18 are forecast to suffer declines in foreign visitor spending. Detroit, Seattle and Tampa are expected to see the sharpest drops, with losses also predicted in cities like Philadelphia and Phoenix. Only Honolulu and New York are forecast to avoid major downturns, though New York officials expect a 17% decrease in overseas tourism compared to 2024. Corporate travel is also under pressure. A survey by the Global Business Travel Association found that nearly one-third of travel managers expect reduced company spending due to recent US government actions. The number of European business travellers entering the US dropped by 18% in April alone. The association has revised its 2025 forecast downward, anticipating a 5% decline in corporate travel expenditure. Meanwhile, fewer Americans are planning trips abroad. Only 18% expect to travel overseas within the next six months, down from 24% in December, according to the Conference Board. Rising economic uncertainty is prompting many to scale back or cancel international holidays in favour of domestic alternatives. With shifting global travel patterns and growing international discontent, analysts suggest the US tourism sector faces a prolonged and uncertain recovery. Navigate the shifting tariff landscape with real-time data and market-leading analysis. Request a free demo for GlobalData's Strategic Intelligence . "Trump's policies disrupt global tourism" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
Michael Jordan, wife enjoy lavish Italy getaway aboard $115 million yacht after NBA on NBC shocker
Michael Jordan is officially in vacation mode. The NBA icon and future NBC Sports contributor recently landed in Sardinia, Italy, for a lavish European getaway with loved ones, including wife Yvette Prieto and their 11-year-old twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, as seen in photos obtained Tuesday by The Post. Jordan, 62, exited the aircraft in a faded red T-shirt and floral print shorts while Prieto, his wife of 12 years, opted for a white tank top and black sweatpants. Advertisement 7 Michael Jordan puffing on his trademark cigar aboard his yacht moored in Porto Cervo. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID 7 Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabel, arrive in style via their private jet in Sardinia. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID The group later moved from land to sea, where the six-time NBA champion was photographed smoking a cigar in casual threads aboard his megayacht, worth a reported $115 million. Advertisement Jordan, who typically vacations in Europe over the summer, shocked the sports media landscape last month when it was revealed he's joining NBC as a special contributor for the network's NBA coverage in the upcoming 2025-26 season. 'The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I'm excited about being a special contributor to the project. I'm looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October,' he said in a statement at the time. 7 Michael Jordan enjoys a cigar aboard his $115 million yacht. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Although details surrounding Jordan's NBC role are scarce, CBNC suggested in May 'the initial plan is for Jordan to appear in taped segments during the season to provide analysis that will air during pregame shows or halftime shows.' Advertisement The NBA announced in July 2024 that the league had signed an 11-year media rights agreement with NBC, the Walt Disney Company and Amazon Prime that runs through the 2035-36 season. 7 Michael Jordan and pals hang out on the NBA legend's yacht in Italy. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID 7 Michael Jordan and pals hang out on the NBA legend's yacht in Italy. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID NBC has been loading up on talent for its NBA coverage this offseason, tapping Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst in May. Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will serve as game analysts while Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle are the play-by-play callers. Advertisement Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons and won six titles with the Bulls in the 1990s. A 14-time NBA All-Star and five-time league MVP, he spent the final two years of his Hall of Fame career with the Wizards before retiring after the 2002-03 season. 7 Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabel, arrive in style via their private jet in Sardinia. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID 7 Michael Jordan, with his wife Yvette Prieto with their twin daughters Victoria and Ysabelboard Jordan's yacht moored in Porto Cervo. CIAOPIX/FREZZA LAFATA/COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID Jordan's NBC payday has been heavily speculated in recent weeks, with Front Office Sports' Ryan Glasspiegel reporting Monday that the rumored annual salary of $40 million is 'inaccurate.'
