The publications offer a rich history of the institutions shaping contemporary art in Türkiye.
Vasıf Kortun is a defining figure in the contemporary Turkish art world. Among his many achievements are his roles as the founding director and curator of pivotal cultural institutions, including the Istanbul Contemporary Art Project, Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, and Salt. Nerden Geldik Buraya: Vasıf Kortun’u Okumak (How Did We Get Here: Reading Vasıf Kortun) were published by Salt/Garanti Kültür A.Ş. and Robinson Crusoe 389 and Salt/Garanti Kültür A.Ş. and Archive Books. They are built around an extensive interview conducted by Sezin Romi, Salt’s Senior Librarian and Archivist between August 2024 and July 2025. The books serve as both a documentation of institutional history and a multi-layered exploration of Türkiye’s cultural milieu. Expanding upon Kortun’s 2017 talk, “Questions on Institutions”—delivered as his tenure at Salt came to a close—the publication opens up a vital discussion on the past, present, and future of art spaces. Known for challenging traditional museum norms, creating space for experimental practices, advocating for decolonial perspectives, and championing collaborative, lateral work methods, Kortun’s lifelong dedication to the arts receives a timely deep dive in these pages.
More details on the books are available at saltonline.org
