Can Altay is an artist living in Istanbul. He investigates the functions, meaning, organisation and reconfigurations of public space. His ‘settings’ provide critical reflection on urban phenomena and artistic activity. His work traverses sculpture, photography and installation, and is staged and manifested through the spaces, exhibitions and publications he produces.

Altay has had solo exhibitions at Arcade, London (2012), Casco, Utrecht (2011), The Showroom, London (2010), Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin (2008), Sala Rekalde, Bilbao (2006) and Spike Island, Bristol (2007). His work has been included in Biennials of Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Havana, Busan, Gwangju, Marrakech, Taipei; and in museums and galleries such as the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), VanAbbe Museum (Eindhoven), ZKM (Karlsruhe), Artists Space (New York), and SALT (Istanbul). His public projects include: “Inner Space Station” (New York, 2013); “Distributed” (London, 2012); “The Church Street Partners’ Gazette” (London, 2010-13) and “PARK: bir ihtimal” (Istanbul, 2010).

Since 2007 Altay is also the editor of Ahali: An anthology for setting a setting, published by Bedford Press, AA Publications, London. His work has been published in periodicals such as Frieze, A.D. (Architectural Design) and Sanat Dunyamiz.

Altay holds a PhD in Art, Design and Architecture from Bilkent University, Ankara. He studied Critical Studies at the Malmo Art Academy and Lund University, and Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (BFA and MFA) at Bilkent University. He is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Architecture and Head of the Department of Industrial Product Design at Istanbul Bilgi University.