in: International Virtual Engravist Printmaking Bienal 2020, Lutfu KAPLANOGLU,Derya AYDOĞAN, Editor, Engravist, İstanbul, pp.1-632, 2020
The world’s first virtual printmaking biennial was open on the 12th of June, 2020 with 54 countries, more than 600
artists and 7 virtual galleries.
People who closed themselves in their homes due to the pandemic process around the world have established
more significant connections through the digital environment. Distances have disappeared in the world that has
become a universal village within virtual networks. Along with many other fields, cultural and artistic activities
also increased in digital environment. Art reflected once again its strength for giving people a dream of a better
future.
Since establishment, Engravist has set out to transform the crises in general in the world in a positive way with
the healing power of art, to contribute to the global communication and interaction cycle, to open way for its
access to the international art environment and to create a dynamic synergy amongst artists from all over
the world. International Virtual Engravist Printmaking Biennial brought together more than 600 artists from 54
countries in 7 virtual galleries.
It is the world’s first virtual printmaking biennial
In 2018, it took the first step of the biennial by organizing an exhibition with around 250 works by 200 artists from
16 countries. The dream of Engravist for 2020 was to increase the number of artists and to reach more countries
and to make a printmaking biennial. Due to the pandemic process in the world, this dream was brought to digital
environment.
Called for artists with the “What would you like to say about a better World?” slogan, hundreds of artists from
all over the world participated. As a result of the jury evaluations, the artists to take part in the biennial were
determined. International Virtual Engravist Printmaking Biennial brought together art lovers in 7 virtual galleries
with 54 countries, more than 600 artists. International Virtual Engravist Printmaking Biennial due to be opened
on the 12th June 2020, became the first virtual art biennial in the world.
Art events at the international level allow, countries at closed poles and people unaware of each other, to create
awareness about each other. In this context, the scope of meeting the global dimension with the power of
the virtual environment is expanding. International Virtual Engravist Printmaking Biennial also offers artists the
opportunity to present themselves at an international platform as an art event held on a local stage but moved
into a universal level.