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Turkish contemporary art in international spotlight at Venice Biennale with Borusan Otomotiv. Borusan Otomotiv, BMW’s official importer in Türkiye, is a partner

What happened
Based on BMW Group PressClub · Aug 05, 2026

Borusan Otomotiv, BMW’s importer in Türkiye, partners with the Türkiye Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale to showcase Nilbar Güreş’s exhibition 'A Kiss on the Eyes,' curated by Başak Doğa Temür until November 2026.

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Turkish contemporary art in international spotlight at Venice Biennale with Borusan Otomotiv. Borusan Otomotiv, BMW’s official importer in Türkiye, is a partner
BMW Group PressClub — BMW
Key points
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Every year on the occasion of La Biennale di Venezia, together with the Neue Nationalgalerie, the BMW Group hosts a joint event celebrating their long-term partnership of the Preis der Nationalgalerie, which will be awarded to Maurizio Cattelan in 2026.
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Already in 2011, BMW teamed up with artist Hajnal Németh for her “CRASH – Passive Interview” installation for the Hungarian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
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The exhibition explores themes of intimacy, resilience, and cultural identity through textiles, everyday objects, and organic forms that carry personal and collective histories.
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Borusan Otomotiv’s first-time support of the Türkiye Pavilion reflects the commitment of supporting projects that create lasting value and contribute to important conversations.

Borusan Otomotiv, BMW’s official importer in Türkiye and the brand’s largest globally, is partnering with the Türkiye Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The pavilion, commissioned by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), features 'A Kiss on the Eyes' by artist Nilbar Güreş, curated by Başak Doğa Temür. The exhibition runs until November 2026 at the Sale d'Armi, Arsenale, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Trendyol Art, Turkish Airlines, and the SAHA Association.

The partnership marks Borusan Otomotiv’s first-time support for the Türkiye Pavilion, aligning with its long-standing commitment to art and culture. Hakan Tiftik, CEO of Borusan Otomotiv, highlighted the milestone as an extension of Borusan Group’s cultural legacy and BMW’s relationship with the global art world. The company has supported contemporary art initiatives in Türkiye for two decades, including Contemporary Istanbul and BMW’s 50th Art Car anniversary celebrations.

Borusan Holding, through Borusan Otomotiv and Borusan Contemporary, has played a key role in Türkiye’s cultural landscape. Borusan Sanat, now under the Borusan Kocabıyık Foundation, has promoted classical music since 1977, while Borusan Contemporary presents exhibitions and public programs at its historic Perili Köşk venue. The collection is the first in Türkiye to join the International Association of Corporate Collections of Contemporary Art (IACCCA).

BMW Group’s cultural engagement focuses on contemporary art, design, sound, film, classical music, and jazz, viewing these activities as corporate citizenship. The company supports global initiatives such as the BMW Art Journey, Berlin Biennale, and Art Basel. The Venice Biennale, coordinated by İKSV since 2007, provides a prestigious platform for contemporary art, with the Türkiye Pavilion operating from a permanent venue at the Sale d'Armi, Arsenale, since 2014.

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