Istanbul Museum of Modern Art — Attraction in Beyoğlu

As a Turkish person living in NYC, I found this modern art museum to be phenomenal and beyond words to describe my adoration. I would sincerely wish to thank the Eczacıbaşı family for bestowing Istanbul, future Turkiye and patrons from all walks of life near and far with this amazing treasure. The value for the price of admission is absolutely a bargain. There is no question about this. As a naysayer about modern art, your collection has converted me into a modern art lover as of today. It was my last remaining day in my beloved Istanbul which is my city, my heart, my love, my life and my soul. I was feeling ambivalent about leaving and there was one specific exhibition that epitomized my mixed thoughts and feelings. It was the Beyond Worlds installation by the Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota depicting their equally conflicting journey melding west and east through reminiscence in their travels represented by a labyrinth of blood vessels and antique suitcases. As I walked through the instillation I felt nestled in my feelings pro and con about leaving and returning to the city and country I love with all my heart. It gave me a sense of reassurance that my decision will unfold organically as the installation portrays. Throughout the museum I gained a new sense of pride and hope for the future of Turkiye embodied by the works of myriad Turkish artists representative of Anatolia. I was astounded by the high caliber creativity and masterpieces produced by Turkish artists from portraits, paintings, installations, interactive works of art and much much more. The galleries truly embodied the transition and juxtaposition of Türkiye’s complex culture, society, history and political structure. It also depicts an ever evolving Turkiye and engenders provocative thoughts. I especially loved watching the short reels with Orhan Pamuk the Nobel Prize candidate who allowed a glimpse into his thought processes and world. Also, I watched most of the reels about four different women wearing wigs for various reasons: political activism, chemotherapy and regaining femininity, banning of the headscarf and the challenges of being a a transexual in the Turkish LGBTQ community. I laughed, I smiled, I cried and I found comfort in my niche at wonderfully new yet familiar offerings provided by this museum. The building is located on the Bosphorus with spectacular panoramic views of the most beautiful, mysterious and captivating city in the world. There were many wonderful cafes, resting places, rooftop, restaurants and gift shops. I loved watching young Turkish families bringing their small children to view and learn about artists in their homeland. The entire experience stoked curiosity, thought and most importantly hope when hope is needed most in our beloved homeland. I look forward towards becoming a member and...

The museum itself it really nice and clean, but there was so small amount of art pieces to enjoy. I visited modern art museums in 4 different countries, I wasn’t thinking that I could possibly not like art museum, because there is no such thing as bad or good art, just a different taste and view and you just need to try understand it. I can split the art on to different “sides”. First is complex to perform and second one is easy to perform. The idea of art for me is to blow your mind even with the easiest ones, as it is with “black square”, of course this creation is the “mother” and the point of zeroing, which did not occur immediately after the presentation of the art to the public, so of course it will be not fare to compare Istanbul art objects to such a big thing, I was just for clarifying what I mean, but there so many different examples that is depends what you have seen and they probably will pop up in your head. In this museum (at least right now) most of the art objects is “easy to perform”, but not catchy. Some of the art felt like the person is just trying into this “style” but don’t really feel like it, some of them was creepy or was just giving out bad energy, not as when you gone thru situation and now showing how you felt but when you still can’t get away from that pain and asking for help thru art. Also it feels like Turkey is a step behind from other countries in art, and most of the turkish art creators mostly living in depression, maybe it was the idea that I couldn’t fully understand, that depressing and bad energy concept art is the culture, previous or current. Anyway, I spent approx 2h there, trying to understand the idea. My experience is not yours experience, but...

So visited the new building of Istanbul Modern and was extremely disappointed. To start with the line was quite long so to skip the wait decided to purchase the tickets online which is also advertised on the board. WiFi signal was not very strong but finally got connected just to learn that you still have to show the ticket to cashier before entering so still need to wait.

Couldn't enter with water as well which is acceptable if they would provide closets before entering.

To enter they gave us some gluey stickers and said we need to stick it to our clothes because even after they have checked our ticket the security will check tickets randomly on every room??? So why have the entrance check??? Anyway, when saying I don't want to ruin my clothes they recommended me to stick it on my skin. Nit very healthy to be honest.

The security did randomly come to you on every floor and did ask for the tickets several times which was really disturbing . Also the security warned everyone constantly about keeping their small handbags on the shoulder saying visitors need to carry their bags in front of them???? Or standing on the middle of the room????

Overall the attitude of workers was really harsh for a museum and totally ruined the experience for us even though the art itself was captivating.

Smaller than it looks. All the information was written soooo small that you really needed to get as close as to block everybody's view. Bathrooms dirty.

no trash near the exit or anywhere near the building to throw away the sticker.

There are many art museums in Istanbul that are much more interesting, cozy and intimate. Don't ruin your nerves if you are in hurry or don't want to see an...