Istanbul Modern Museum

Established in 2004 as Turkey’s first modern and contemporary art museum in order to share Turkey’s artistic creativity and cultural identity with the national and international art scene, Istanbul Modern hosts interdisciplinary events.

Istanbul Modern Museum, Arts History, Architectural Structure, Works

Istanbul Modern, Turkey’s first private museum dedicated to modern and contemporary arts, was established in 2004 to increase public interest in art. Located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, the museum has quickly become a multidimensional center where people of all ages and all types come together and make culture a part of their daily lives.

The seeds of the museum were sown in 1987, at the 1st International Contemporary Art Exhibitions, today’s International Istanbul Biennial. Influenced by the interest and dynamism that the exhibition brought to the Istanbul art scene, the founder of the Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation, Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı took action to establish a permanent modern art museum in Istanbul.

After a long search, Feshane, which was a 19th century industrial area in the Golden Horn, was turned into a contemporary art museum. The building hosted the 3rd Istanbul Biennial in 1991, but the long-term project could not be realized. Since then, many projects have tried to realize the idea of ​​a modern art museum in Istanbul, but the attempts could not come to fruition as a suitable venue could not be found.

The project came to the fore again in 2003, after the 8th Istanbul Biennial used the customs warehouse number four next to Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Academy as its main venue.

When Prime Minister of the time, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, approved the permanent use of the warehouse, the main obstacle to the museum project was removed. T.R. The 8000 m2 building, which was built as a dry cargo warehouse for Maritime Enterprises, has been transformed into a fully equipped, modern museum by Tabanlıoğlu Architecture.

Continuing its activities in this building for 14 years as Turkey’s first modern and contemporary art museum, İM moved to its temporary location in Beyoğlu as of May 2018.

The historical Union Française building on Meşrutiyet Street has been prepared in such a way that it will continue all its activities until the new building, which is located within the Galataport area of ​​Istanbul Modern and will be built with the joint contribution of the museum’s founding sponsor Eczacıbaşı Group and main sponsor Doğuş Holding – Bilgili Holding, is completed.

Architectural Structure

The temporary space where Istanbul Modern will continue its activities for 3 years is located in Beyoğlu, the heart of culture and art. Union Française building, signed by Alexandre Vallaury, on Meşrutiyet Street, 19th Century. It was built locally for the French, who became an important group in the social life of Istanbul at the end of the 19th century. The building currently serves art lovers as the temporary space of the museum.

Istanbul Modern Art Works

In the museum, the development of abstract and figurative painting in the art environment of Turkey after 1950 is presented in a chronological flow through iconic examples. The collection is based on a geometric and lyrical approach, making visible the visual and intellectual effects of abstract painting, nourished by Anatolian and Islamic culture. The collection brings together different works of the contemporary art world shaped by nature and the environment, from the social realist examples of figurative painting to the New Figurative approaches of the 1970s and the expressionist and conceptual examples of the 1980s. The museum focuses on the recently produced works of artists who are sensitive to environmental problems and who trace the cultural reflections of nature in different disciplines such as painting, sculpture, video and photography. This selection and exhibition brings together artists from different generations with an approach that wants to draw attention to the loss of nature, the depletion of resources and the inevitable increase in environmental problems.

Where is Istanbul Modern Art Museum, How to Go There, Directions, Visiting Hours, Entrance Price

Full address: Asmalımescit Mahallesi Meşrutiyet Caddesi, No:99 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Türkiye

By using the M2 line by metro, from Şişhane station, from Karaköy by using the Tunel tram,
You can reach the bus from Şişhane 1 and 2 stops within walking distance.

The museum, which is open every day of the week except Monday, is closed on January 1 and on the first days of religious holidays every year.

Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday : 11:00 – 18:00

Entry Fee Full: 35 TL