Thursday, July 6, 2023 Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will host the International Textile Biennial, curated by writer and artist Nihat Özdal. The biennial, which will host its visitors between September 2 and November 24, will be a first for Turkey. Stating that the Textile Biennial would suit Izmir, which has made a name for itself with the textile industry, President Tunç Soyer said, “Izmir Textile Biennial will make a significant start that will give important messages to the world. Both local and foreign visitors will be interested in the biennial, where different aspects of the fabric will be interpreted by artists.”.
 
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is preparing to bring together art lovers through a biennial that will mark its name in the art history of Turkey and the world. The International Textile Biennial, curated by the artist Nihat Özdal, will open its doors on September 2. The exhibitions, which will be open until November 24, will feature 61 exhibitors from 25 different countries. The works will be exhibited at Atlas Pavilion, Pakistan Pavilion, Ephesus Ancient City, Namazgah Bath, Carfi Mansion, Etz Hayim Synagogue, Alga and Foundations Mansion. 
Speeches and workshops about the biennial will be held at textile-related fairs hosted by İZFAŞ. Stating that the Textile Biennial will suit İzmir, which has made a name for itself with the textile sector, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer said, “İzmir Textile Biennial will make a significant start that will give important messages to the world. İzmir Textile Biennial, where different aspects of fabric will be interpreted by artists, will also be a first for Turkey.”.
 
It will offer the opportunity to experience the power and depth of textile
Stating that they have gathered the exhibition under 3 themes, dispersed to the biennial venues, curator Nihat Özdal said, “We will bring the works together with the visitors under the roof of Slowness and Time, Touch and Emotion, Connection and Sustainability. The 8,000-year-old weaving materials found at Ulucak Höyük in İzmir point to strong evidence that the city was the oldest textile center in history. Fabrics contain a lot of information from the life of societies to their art, from their mythology to their belief system. A person who meets the world by being wrapped in a cloth is again wrapped in a cloth and sent to the other world. The only material that is with us at birth and death is fabric. İzmir, which has a strong image in the history of textile archeologically, continues to be an important center with both its fairs and companies operating in this field today.
 
Slow textile movement
Stating that textile has been an inseparable part of daily life since the existence of human beings, Nihat Özdal said, “Textile art, which is an impressive combination of threads, fabrics and stitches, carries deep meanings as well as aesthetic value. The slow textile movement is a philosophy that is spreading rapidly today. This biennial offers an opportunity to explore the theme of slowness and connection in textile art and to experience the power and depth of textiles for the audience.”.
 
Invites the audience to an impressive journey
The Textile Biennial will offer a platform to explore the themes of slowness, touch and connection in textile art. The theme is “Slow down, Focus on the Touch!” At the biennial, where the artists handcrafted and meticulously created their works, the works will remind the audience of the power and meaning of textile. The exhibition will also highlight sustainable and ethical practices that reflect the values of the slowness movement. The audience will step into the rich world of textile by touching, observing and thinking. This biennial will offer an experience for anyone who wants to delve deeper into textile art and understand the concepts of slowness and connection.