First of all, thank you for taking the time. As Vox Artistica, we enjoy coming together with events that value art and artists like you. We are eagerly awaiting the 4th Edition of CI BLOOM.
Events like CI BLOOM, which benefit both art, artists, and art lovers, are also very important for keeping up with what is happening in Contemporary Turkish Art. What can visitors expect at 4th Edition of CI BLOOM this year? Are there any new innovations or differences that stand out from previous years in CI BLOOM this year?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
Visitors can expect an even more dynamic and representative look at the contemporary Turkish art scene. This year we’re proud to include more galleries from outside of Istanbul—like Rıdvan Kuday Gallery and the initiative Loading Art Space from Diyarbakır, The Key Art Gallery from Eskişehir, and Belm’art from Ankara—broadening the conversation and creating new connections across regions.
Can you provide information about the works that will be exhibited at 4th Edition of CI BLOOM? We saw some remarkable works in the press kit. Which works do you think will stand out in this edition?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
It’s hard to choose what will stand out, since the diversity of works are so rich. I’m most excited to see how CI BLOOM brings together established names alongside emerging voices who are experimenting and exploring new boundaries.
We’re excited to welcome visitors to CI BLOOM from April 16–20, 2025, at the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Rumeli Hall. CI BLOOM will showcase the creative energy of young and emerging galleries, featuring 520 works by 263 artists across 25 galleries and 4 art initiatives.
How was the selection process for the artists and participating galleries in the event carried out? What criteria were taken into consideration?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
CI BLOOM is an invitation-only fair. We invited returning participants and focused on young galleries operating for three years or less who are actively organizing exhibitions—plus we introduced a more accessible pricing model to support their participation.
How do you see the role of events like CI BLOOM in enhancing the international representation of contemporary art in Turkey and the visibility of new generation artists? What mission does CI BLOOM have in this context?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
CI has cultivated a vast network over its 20 years in the art world, both in Türkiye and internationally. CI BLOOM, with its hyperfocus on local platforms, gives audiences a direct view into what’s happening on the ground, while offering participants increased visibility, fair experience, and the opportunity to grow professionally. These are steping stones — not just toward market exposure, but toward long-term development, connection-building, and sustainability for emerging galleries and artists. It’s not just a marketplace—it’s a platform for progress.
What do you think about the interaction of CI BLOOM, which plays an important role in introducing Turkey’s contemporary art to the world and enabling Turkish artists to express themselves internationally, with the historical and synthesis structure of Istanbul?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
CI BLOOM is, of course, an art fair—bringing together galleries, their artists, and our esteemed partners—but it also acts as a space to get creative, collaborate, and find new ways to bridge industries. It also brings together artists, curators, assistants, logistics teams, and more — functioning as a collaborative and dynamic ecosystem. In a city like Istanbul, layered with history and cultural synthesis, we’re constantly reminded that art has a place almost everywhere. CI BLOOM thrives in this environment, encouraging cross-pollination not just within the art world, but across wider networks of culture and community.
Artistic events and organizations are also followed with interest through digital channels today. How will the event interact with digital platforms and social media? What will be offered to art lovers online?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
We’ll be actively sharing content from participating galleries in the lead-up to and during CI BLOOM to build excitement and keep audiences engaged online. This year, we’re also introducing a collaboration with Artwide, a global online auction platform that merges the speed of digital technology with the expertise of traditional art professionals. Through this partnership, CI BLOOM and Artwide will run a simultaneous online auction with selected artworks by CI Bloom artists — not exhibited at the fair — are made available for sale in digital format. This collaboration will allow galleries to reach both in-person and collectors around the world—making us the first fair to fully integrate this dual model and expand visibility and sales opportunities for exhibitors and artists.
What do you think about the contribution of art initiatives participating in the 4th Edition of CI BLOOM to the collective aspect of art and collaborative production processes?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
The participating initiatives—often small organizations that are activating exhibitions, programming, and are deeply engaged with their communities—are essential to the social-art economy. Their presence aligns with CI’s mission to provide space for representation, network-building, and growth. We’re proud to support them, not only to enhance the diversity of BLOOM, but to hopefully be a part of their ongoing trajectories as they continue to shape their mission, vision, and values.
Seperately, CI BLOOM brings together the full spectrum of art world players—from gallerists and artists to curators and logistics professionals—encouraging collaboration across every layer. It becomes a shared space of exchange, where the collective process is as valued as the final presentation.
What is the most important impact you hope CI BLOOM will have on the art world and visitors?
Nıkkole Mojıca:
CI BLOOM is, of course, an art fair—but what I care about additionally is that it also serves as a kind of learning ground for the broader contemporary art ecosystem. We share the space with gallerists, curators, assistants, logistics and operations specialists, and more —forming a cohesive machine that feeds and builds itself through collaboration.
The audience is also what sustains platforms like CI BLOOM, and their growing curiosity each year is the clearest sign of success. CI BLOOM exists to both nurture the existing art community and make space for new audiences of art patrons, writers, educators, cultural workers, and emerging collectors—creating an environment where creativity, connection, and care for one another can flourish, even in uncertain times.
Lastly, in a world and market that constantly oscillate alongside political and social shifts, it feels vital to sustain a kind of lifeline—for local galleries, initiatives, artists, and even those adjacent to the art world. We can find solace in our work, our inspiration, and in our collective hopes for a more creative, resilient environment to thrive in. There is more than one part to this machine, and every part must be tended to keep it moving forward.
