The Izmir International Fair, now opening its doors for the 94th time, will once again bring together culture, art, and technology. Taking place at Kültürpark between August 29 and September 9, 2025, the fair will serve not only as a venue for trade but also as a hub for international cultural encounters.
With the support of Folkart, two striking works by media artist Refik Anadol will be presented to audiences in Izmir. The data sculpture “Sense of Healing” draws on the brain data of individuals receiving mental health treatment and seeks to activate empathy and compassion. Meanwhile, “Machine Hallucinations – Aegean” transforms environmental data collected from the Aegean Sea into digital pigments, offering viewers the chance to reestablish a sensory connection with nature.
Refik Anadol is among the leading figures bringing together data science, artificial intelligence, and architecture within an artistic practice. His works have been exhibited at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and Art Basel. He was also featured on the TIME100 AI list, recognized as one of the artists shaping the cultural impact of artificial intelligence.
Highlights of his career include “Unsupervised”, the first generative AI work to enter MoMA’s collection, the monumental data sculpture at the Las Vegas Sphere, and the upcoming Dataland project, which will open in Los Angeles in 2025. Designed by Frank Gehry within The Grand LA building, Dataland is set to become the world’s first museum dedicated to AI art, offering a new vision of the future where technology and creativity merge.
One of the most anticipated events of this year’s Izmir International Fair, the exhibition will not be limited to the fair dates but will remain on view at Kültürpark from August 29 to September 30, 2025. Opening on Friday, August 29, and closing on Tuesday, September 30, the exhibition can be visited outside of the fair period from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and weekends (closed on Mondays). During the fair itself, the works will be accessible daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
