THE ISTANBUL PAVILION 
at the 7th Mardin Biennial

WHAT NEED IS THERE TO WEEP?
Intervention by House of Taswir in the Kiziltepe Ateş Beyler Hammam
Upon invitation by the 7th Mardin Biennale “SKYground” curated by Çelenk Bafra.

May 15 – June 21, 2026
Kiziltepe Ateş Beyler Hamamı

With artists Alfredo Jaar (Lisboa), Fares Ayash (Gaza), Larissa Araz (Istanbul), Yasmeen Al Daya (Gaza)

First Afterlife edition of The Istanbul Pavilion / Gaza Biennale Initiative in Mardin, 2026.

With many thanks to Dr. Kemal Kalafat for his gracious support.

Images:
  1. What Need Is There to Weep Over Parts of Life? The Whole of It Calls for Tears
    Alfredo Jaar, 2018/2025
    Print on glass by water-based paints, 8cm stainless steel frame and Led lightening from back (day light). 100 x 120 cm.
    Unique, dedicated edition, outside the edition of 5 in support of The Istanbul Pavilion of the Gaza Biennale Initiative.
    © Alfredo Jaar. Courtesy House of Taswir / The Istanbul Pavilion.
  2. Dorgham (The Lion)
    Fares Ayash, 2024/2025
    Sculpture. Originally cement. Size variable.
    Presented by House of Taswir in collaboration with the artist as 3-D print in grey marble. 140 x 55 x 55 cm.
    © Fares Ayash. Courtesy the artist and House of Taswir / The Istanbul Pavilion. Commissioned by House of Taswir. Production & artistic collaboration: AlpaLab. Project management: Emedya Design. With gratitude for their generous support.
  3. Beginning
    Larissa Araz, 2023
    From the Semi-Fiction series / Yarı Kurmaca serisinden.
    Hahnemühle Matte Fibre 200 g, 12-colour archival pigment print on paper; mounted on 3mm dibond; 20 x 30 mm aluminium support frame. 120 x 80 cm.
    Special edition donated to House of Taswir / The Istanbul Pavilion, presented at the 7th Mardin Biennale 2026.
    © Larissa Araz. Courtesy the artist and House of Taswir.
  4. Life
    Yasmeen Al Daya, 2024
    Originally Kiln Clay. Size variable.
    Presented by House of Taswir as diasec print. 150 x 90 cm.
    © Yasmeen Al Daya. Courtesy the artist and House of Taswir / The Istanbul Pavilion.

All photos:  © Adam Bruckstein Photography.

In September 2025, House of Taswir curated The Istanbul Pavilion of the Gaza Biennale Initiative at Depo Istanbul as a parallel event of the 18th International Istanbul Biennial. Developed in close collaboration with artists living and working in Gaza, The Istanbul Pavilion presented works of the Gaza Biennale Initiative in collaboration with an international network of artists, scholars, writers, collectors, and friends.

Due to its international resonance, The Istanbul Pavilion currently receives invitations and collaboration requests from institutions, biennials, galleries, collections, and artistic initiatives worldwide. What began as a temporary exhibition currently evolves into a nomadic platform for contemporary art and intellectual collaboration.

The presentation of four artworks from The Istanbul Pavilion at the 7th Mardin Biennale 2026 documents the first chapter of a nomadic, fractal afterlife of The Istanbul Pavilion featuring artists from the Gaza Biennale Initiative.

The 7th Mardin Biennale, curated by Çelenk Bafra, director of Istanbul Modern, invited The Istanbul Pavilion / House of Taswir to present a mini-constellation from The Istanbul Pavilion within the historic Kızıltepe Ateş Beyler Hamam in the city of Mardin, entitled What Need Is There to Weep. The chapter brings together works by Yasmeen Al Daya (Gaza), Fares Ayash (Gaza), Alfredo Jaar (Lisbon), and Larissa Araz (Istanbul).

We are proud to announce that the artist LARISSA ARAZ (born in Mardin, lives and works in Istanbul) joined our “Festival of Gratitude” – a losely associated group of artists who join The Istanbul Pavilion in solidarity with the Gaza Biennale Initiative and its artists.

House of Taswir, Istanbul, June 6, 2026