HALISE KARAKAYA TO REPRESENT TURKEY AT LONDON DESIGN BIENNALE 2025 WITH “EMOTIONAL REFLECTIONS: SPIRIT OF SEVEN HORIZONS”

Interdisciplinary artist Halise Karakaya will represent Turkey at the 2025 London Design Biennale with her new installation, Emotional Reflections: Spirit of Seven Horizons. The work will be on view from June 5 to June 29 at Somerset House, offering a multi-sensory journey inspired by the seven iconic hills of Istanbul.

Karakaya’s installation activates sight, sound, and smell to immerse visitors in an emotionally charged atmosphere. Seven layered aluminum sculptures rest on surfaces coated in Turkish coffee grounds, releasing a culturally evocative aroma. Above, fifteen sculptural forms hang from a modular ceiling system, illuminated by a responsive lighting setup. Instead of motion sensors, the light reacts to ambient sounds from the Bosphorus—foghorns, seagulls, and waves—shifting in intensity to reflect the soundscape.

The biennale will also mark the beginning of Karakaya’s collaboration with luxury jewelry brand Gilan Istanbul, the main sponsor of the Turkey Pavilion. Gilan will continue to support Karakaya in future projects that merge her sculptural vision with their artisanal craftsmanship.