How Did We Get Here: Reading Vasıf Kortun
English, 288 pages

©2026 Salt/Garanti Kültür A.Ş. (Istanbul) and Archive Books (Berlin)
ISBN 978-3-912226-18-8978-625-95407-3-3
Editor: Sezin Romi
Interview: Sezin Romi and Vasıf Kortun
Texts: Manuel Borja-Villel, Céline Condorelli, Joshua Decter, Charles Esche, Kathy Halbreich, Defne Koryürek, Prem Krishnamurthy, November Paynter
Translation: Vasıf Kortun
Copy Editor: Laura Preston
Design: Esen Karol
Cover Photo: Defne Koryürek
Printing: Sena Ofset Ambalaj Matbaacılık Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Şti. (Istanbul)
This publication has been made possible by İsak Antika, with additional support from Can Elgiz.

How Did We Get Here: Reading Vasıf Kortun features an extensive conversation between the editor of the book, Sezin Romi, and writer, educator, and curator Vasıf Kortun, exploring the past, present, and future of cultural institutions through Kortun’s experiences:

“The tyranny of our times is very heavy. It has spread to all corners of the world today. We are all under a pile of rubble, both literally and metaphorically. […] Our concern is to build institutions that will respond to the needs of the time, look to the future, and reshape existing models. Repair is not enough.”

A new book by Salt (Istanbul) and Archive Books (Berlin), How Did We Get Here: Reading Vasıf Kortun features an in-depth interview reflecting on the conventions of contem-
porary cultural institutions while exploring the approaches that shape Vasıf Kortun’s work as a writer, educator, and curator. Conducted by Sezin Romi from Salt, the interview
offers a multifaceted perspective on institutional practices in context. It traces the histories of the Istanbul Contemporary Art Project, Platform Garanti Contemporary Art Center, and Salt—where Kortun served as founding director. Drawing on Kortun’s 2017 talk, “Questions on Institutions,” delivered at Salt upon his departure as Director of Research and Programs, the publication opens up a discussion on the past, present, and future of cultural institutions and their relationship to the public.