One week from today, ISTANCOOL’s 2011 incarnation will commence in Turkey, drawing names like Tilda Swinton and Michael Stipe to the Mediterranean metropolis in order to initiate a dynamic global arts diplomacy program and forge new frontiers in the relationship between Turkey and the international art community. What does this mean? Panels and screenings, of course! But before you roll your eyes, take into consideration the content of said panels: on Friday, Terry Gilliam reflects on his career of phantasmagorical filmmaking; Haider Ackermann hosts a workshop, and actresses Tilda Swinton and Kirsten Dunst both engage in Q&As. The following day, Michael Stipe presents a series of films made for R.E.M.’s new album and Ryan McGinley examines street art with Dan Colen. There are numerous other enticing events but the festival promoters—Liberatum, Istanbul’74, and AnOther Magazine—seem to have saved the most exciting moment of the festival until Sunday:

3pm Artists Vs Brands
Courtney Love
The Artist as A Brand

If you aren’t already rushing to Istanbul from Kiev or Cannes (or anywhere else for that matter) next week, it’s time to sign yourself up for cool school.
For more information visit www.liberatum.org