Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) — Attraction in Odunpazarı

OMM ODUNPAZARI MODERN MUSEUM is a very recent addition to Eskişehir's cultural scene. I would summarize it as "What Guggenheim Museum is to Bilbao, OMM will be to Eskişehir". The cultural transformation of Eskişehir has no precedent in modern Turkey. In the 60's Eskişehir was an a unassuming town midway between İstanbul and Ankara. Whenever Eskişehir was mentioned only two items came to mind: mirchaum pipes and "sahlep", a hot milk drink. In the 2000's two developments contributed to this big transformation: The election of Yılmaz Büyükerşen as mayor and Anadolu and Osmangazi Universities which brought a high number of young students to the town. OMM is located in Odunpazarı, a historical area where old houses are being restored and transformed into hotels, museums and shops. OMM has a modern design, which does not seem out of place with its surroundings. The star of the museum, from my point of view is the bamboo structure of Japanese artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV. He and a team of 14 collaborators have woven the structure using only bamboo strings. The museum shop, currently is the best of its kind in Turkey. This is a very recent and excellent modern art museum which must be visited at the first...

This one goes to the directors / organisators of this museum: WHEN YOU DECIDE TO CLOSE THE WHOLE MUSEUM FOR VISITS FOR A WHOLE MONTH (because of the temporary expo change, duh!), YOU SHOULD ANNOUNCE IT ON YOUR WEBSITE AT LEAST A MONTH PRIOR TO THE DATE OF CLOSURE! Not on the day you close the museum itself.

We have planned to visit your museum weeks before and scheduled our visit to Eskisehir. Our visit to this city was solely planned WITH THE MOTIVATION TO VISIT YOUR MUSEUM. Even a week prior to our visit (last week of july), there was no mention whatsoever about the closure until the 7th of September.

On our arrival day the 2nd of august, we come to the museum to discover that it was closed due to temporary expo change. You could at least leave open the permanent expos…

Anyways… it must be a great museum. But we could not visit because of the poor direction.

Next time (if there ever will be a next time) I will call to check everyday prior to my visit to make sure you guys stay...

We have just visited this Museum - literally 10 minutes ago. A beautiful space with an interesting collection of art by predominantly Turkish Artists. Thoughtfully curated and very accessible.

However we did have an embarrassing, humiliating and difficult experience with a member of security staff. We decided to go to the cafe before going to the shop and exiting the museum. We were shouted at loudly by the member of security and told we could not enter the cafe. The security guard made such a drama and show towards us - we were so embarrassed.

I do not understand why all areas of the museum are not accessible during your visit? A sit down, drink and then a look around the shop makes for a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Being shouted at does not. Very humiliating. Hence 3 stars only and a disappointing end to our visit. We did not spend any money in the shop - we left...