Politics of conservative art: The making of the Yeditepe Biennial

Abstract

This dissertation comprehensively analyzes the Yeditepe Biennial as a case study to illuminate the complex relationship between art, culture and governance in contemporary Turkey, particularly during the AKP rule. Using the conservative art debates sparked by İskender Pala's critical comments in 2012 as a backdrop, this dissertation situates the Yeditepe Biennial as a concrete expression of the government's cultural strategy. Using descriptive and analytical methods, the study draws on a critical discourse analysis of various sources such as interviews with the biennial's board of directors, curators and organizers; press releases, catalogues and reports. The central argument is that the biennial, ostensibly a cultural exhibition, is strategically designed to function as a political tool, actively shaping cultural discourse in line with the conservative, traditionalist and neo-Ottomanist agenda of the current government. The research meticulously examines the planning and execution of the biennial, revealing the political, bureaucratic and artistic networks involved. The partnership between the Fatih Municipality and the Classical Turkish Arts Foundation (KTSV) is scrutinized, revealing a complex nexus that underscores the political underpinnings of the event. This dissertation argues that beyond being a cultural showcase, the Yeditepe Biennial represents a critical intersection of art, culture and governance and serves as a barometer of cultural policy and power in contemporary Turkey.