WE CAN – 1. Mediterranean Biennial

The Mediterranean has been home to some of the oldest and most influential civilizations in history, a geography where cultures and languages meet. This richness has made the Mediterranean one of the world’s most creative and productive regions. The International Mediterranean Biennial/Contemporary Art titled “We Can” is an art event organized to make this innovative and effective energy visible. In this context, the theme “We Can” emphasizes the unifying and transformative power of the Mediterranean, and the event, organized by Çukurova Contemporary Art Culture and Education Foundation (Çukurova Contemporary), aims to develop meaningful and concrete contributions to the foundation’s long-term vision of establishing an international contemporary art museum and collection.
The Biennial brings together national and international artists whose work aims to reflect their hopes and dreams for the shared heritage and future of the Mediterranean. The Biennial demonstrates that art can be a tool for change and transformation and can contribute to making the Mediterranean a more just and peaceful region.

In organizing the Biennale, we have brought together the following elements: unity and diversity, change and transformation, and the power of hope. The Mediterranean is a geography where different cultures and languages coexist, and the biennial emphasizes the richness of this diversity and the power of unity. Furthermore, as a region that has witnessed many changes throughout history, it demonstrates the ability of art and culture in the Mediterranean to foster change and transformation. Finally, as it is organized in a region that has faced many challenges, including wars, earthquakes, and many other devastating events, the Biennial demonstrates the power of art to give hope and encouragement.
The biennial is organized simultaneously in cities spread across the Mediterranean region of Çukurova. The main center of the Biennial is Tarsus. However, the biennial will occur in Mersin, Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Afşin. The biennial aims to reflect the historical and cultural richness of these cities. The International Mediterranean Biennial is thus an opportunity to showcase the Mediterranean’s creative and productive energy and share hopes and dreams for the region’s future. It aims to make a cultural contribution to making the Mediterranean a more just and peaceful area.
In its main exhibition spaces, the Biennial brings together the work of national and international artists, reflecting the central theme and aims of the Biennial. In addition, the biennial covers different art disciplines and regions of the Mediterranean through parallel exhibitions reflecting the central theme of the biennial from different angles. It also aims to reflect the rich culture and traditions of the Mediterranean through performances and events while offering opportunities to explore the cultural heritage and future of the Mediterranean through education and workshops.
Thus, the International Mediterranean Biennale/Contemporary Art aims to bring together artists, initiatives, art groups, and forces from the region to establish and develop a dialog of ideas, ideals, art, and culture. It also aims to reorganize contemporary artworks and events in the context of the region with a new visionary perspective and seriousness, to develop relations with the cultural institutions and events of the entire Mediterranean Region, to spread the artistic and cultural forces of the region to the region, and to create an international museum collection where contemporary artworks can be included as much as possible.
The International Mediterranean Biennale/Contemporary Art, “We Can”, aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Mediterranean’s cultural heritage and future, foster more significant interaction between cities and people across the region, and promote art as an essential pathway for change and transformation.