The second session of “Yeditepe Biennial Conversations” was streamed live from Sirkeci Train Station Warehouses this time. During the session that hosted Prof. Fatih Özkaya and Dr. Selami Varlık, the concept of negotiation was covered in light of Islamic thought and contemporary philosophy. The conversation moderated by Burcu Bayer met with viewers on digital platforms.

Organized under the auspices of Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, in cooperation of Fatih Municipality and Classical Turkish Arts Foundation, the 3rd International Yeditepe Biennial continues to add value to the world of culture with not only artworks but also conversations on intellectual ground. The first session of “Yeditepe Biennial Conversations” realized in the scope of the biennial reached art lovers live from Yedikule Fortress while the second from Sirkeci Train Station Warehouses. The session was centered on “negotiation” that was one of the basic communication methods of humanity.

The program organized in cooperation with Fatih Municipality and Classical Turkish Arts Foundation, was shaped with contributions of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University and Islamic Arts Research Center (İSAMER). The conversation brought together Prof. Fatih Özkaya who undersigned significant works on Islamic thought and traditional sciences and Dr. Selami Varlık who focus on philosophy and the theory of art. During the meeting moderated by Burcu Bayer, negotiation was covered as not only an academic headline but also a concept at the heart of relationship individuals establishes with their inner worlds, the society and time.

In the conversation, the meanings of negotiation for both classical Islamic civilization and contemporary societies were discussed comparatively. Structures such as the assembly culture, circles of knowledge, madrasah and lodge conversations in ancient traditions were interpreted together with today’s climate of discussion. While Prof. Özkaya emphasized that negotiation is a search for truth, Dr. Varlık evaluated this process as a “form of morality”. The speakers drew attention to the fact that negotiation should regain an intellectual and social function in the face of today’s speed and conflict-oriented communication styles.

One of the dimensions of conversation that stood out was how different disciplines and approaches came together to create a rich intellectual climate. Bridges formed among traditional sources of Islamic thought and contemporary philosophical Outlook presented an intellectual and spiritual depth to participants. With this dimension the session turned into a thinking space where common language and understanding was built and not a mere discussion ground.

The activity was streamed live at @yeditepebienali YouTube channel. Comments received from viewers that participated in the broadcast online showed that the concept of negotiation was questioned and followed by academic circles in addition to a broad public.

Yeditepe Biennial Conversations continue to be a platform that transcend boundaries of the biennial as an exhibit and that opens up space that encourage intellectual production, questioning and deepening. These conversations where different intellectual traditions, artistic understandings and interpretation styles come together reinforce public and intellectual side of the biennial, building a participatory culture.

The series that will continue with new sessions invite the audience to watch while also thinking and understanding together.

Click https://www.youtube.com/live/Bjx-U1BgViA?si=wciF8WBGJunzL9Ui to watch the second session of “Yeditepe Biennial Conversations” program.