Istanbul, former capital of the Ottoman Empire and a glorious city straddling Europe and Asia, is again hosting one of the world's most prestigious art exhibitions, the 13th Istanbul Biennial.

The event runs until Oct 20 with 88 artists exploring the theme "Mom, am I barbarian?". It examines dichotomies such as between barbarity and civilization, nature and culture, the singular and universal, and randomness and order.

In keeping with the increasing importance of China's contemporary arts, the biennale features one acclaimed Chinese artist, Wang Qingsong, and hosts a parallel activity showcasing 27 promising young Chinese artists.