Bettina Pousttchi Recasts Steel Barriers as Poetic Sculptures at Rockefeller Center

German artist Bettina Pousttchi has unveiled a monumental steel sculpture titled "Vertical Highways V03" at New York’s Rockefeller Center. Crafted from repurposed roadway guardrails that have been bent and colored, the vertical installation stands in dialogue with the surrounding Art Deco architecture. The work, which has previously been exhibited in Paris, Berlin, and Istanbul, will remain on public display in Midtown Manhattan through April 17, 2026.

Rockefeller Center Unveils Sculpture by German Iranian Artist Bettina Pousttchi.

Rockefeller Center in New York has installed a new public sculpture, 'Vertical Highways V03 (2025)', by German Iranian artist Bettina Pousttchi. The work, composed of bent and battered red guardrails arranged in a tangle, will be on view in the Channel Gardens through April 17th.

June 2025 Exhibitions -

ArtDog Istanbul's editors have curated a selection of standout exhibitions opening across Istanbul in June 2025. Highlights include 'A Day’s Story, A Lifetime’s Truth' at Galeri 77, a joint show by Bayram Demir and İlker Kayalı exploring personal memory and collective mythology; solo exhibitions by Jorinde Voigt ('365 Seasons') and Mustafa Hulusi ('Breathing In the World') at Dirimart's two locations; 'Extraordinary Minas' at Pera Museum, celebrating its 20th anniversary with Kütahya tile and ceramic works by Minas Avramidis; and Ali Kazma's 'Landscapes of the Mind' at Istanbul Modern, alongside shows by Nermin Er at Galeri Nev Istanbul and Pelda Aytaş at Gülden Bostancı.

Semiha Berksoy: The Turkish Artist Who Made Her Life a Total Work of Art

Semiha Berksoy: l’artista turca che ha reso la sua vita un’opera totale

A major retrospective titled "Aria of All Colors" at the Istanbul Modern, running until September 6, celebrates the multifaceted Turkish artist Semiha Berksoy (1911–2004). Featuring over 200 works, the exhibition showcases her pioneering career as a painter, sculptor, opera singer, actress, costume designer, and performance artist. Berksoy became the first Turkish soprano to perform on European stages after studying in Berlin, and she helped found the Ankara State Opera. Her deeply personal paintings, often depicting her mother and cultural figures, are marked by a graphic, childlike style and a recurring "line of destiny." The show includes costumes, sketches, archival footage, and even a refrigerator door painted with her daughter's portrait.

SANATORIUM Istanbul contemporary art gallery building

SANATORIUM, a leading contemporary art gallery in Istanbul, is opening its third location this fall in the historic Bosphorus port district of Perşembe Pazarı. The new building was designed by prominent Turkish conceptual architect Nevzat Sayin, who drew inspiration from the area's industrial character and small manufacturing workshops. The gallery's inaugural exhibition features artist Farah Al Qasimi, a 2025 Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, with her first solo show in Istanbul titled 'Desert Hyacinth,' running from September 12 to October 26, concurrent with the Istanbul Biennial.

The Met Appoints Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator of Photographs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator in its Department of Photographs following an international search. Onabanjo, who joins from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), will oversee exhibitions, acquisitions, and research for 20th-century and contemporary photography, with a specific emphasis on international practices in Africa and Asia. Her role includes the stewardship of the Walther Collection, a massive gift of over 6,500 works, and the preparation of a major exhibition scheduled for 2028.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Appoints Oluremi C. Onabanjo as Curator in the Department of Photographs

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has appointed Oluremi C. Onabanjo as a Curator in the Department of Photographs. Joining from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Onabanjo will focus on 20th-century and contemporary photography with a specific emphasis on international practices from Africa and Asia. Her responsibilities include overseeing the stewardship of the recently acquired Walther Collection and developing a major exhibition for 2028.

Istanbul Modern’s Gala sees record interest led by Azade Koker’s 'Orchestra'

Istanbul Modern's annual Gala Modern fundraising auction raised ₺29.6 million (over $693,000) through the sale of 12 artworks, with Azade Köker's specially created collage 'Orchestra' achieving the top price of ₺6 million (over $140,500). The event, held at the museum during a private gala, featured a Support Auction with contributions from 13 Turkish and international artists, drawing collectors, patrons, and cultural figures including Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.