• The Odunpazari Modern Museum is located in the northwestern Turkish city of Eskisehir. Courtesy NAARO
    The Odunpazari Modern Museum is located in the northwestern Turkish city of Eskisehir. Courtesy NAARO
  • It is designed by the famous Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates. Courtesy NAARO
    It is designed by the famous Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates. Courtesy NAARO
  • The museum was founded by art collector and businessman Erol Tabanca. Courtesy NAARO
    The museum was founded by art collector and businessman Erol Tabanca. Courtesy NAARO
  • It also hosts an eight-by-six metre installation by Japanese bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai. Courtesy NAARO
    It also hosts an eight-by-six metre installation by Japanese bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai. Courtesy NAARO
  • It is the largest installation to date by the Japanese bamboo artist. Courtesy NAARO
    It is the largest installation to date by the Japanese bamboo artist. Courtesy NAARO
  • The museum spans 4,500 square metres. Courtesy NAARO
    The museum spans 4,500 square metres. Courtesy NAARO
  • Odunpazarı translated into English means ‘wood market’ hence why there's so much wood used in the museum. Courtesy NAARO
    Odunpazarı translated into English means ‘wood market’ hence why there's so much wood used in the museum. Courtesy NAARO
  • The Odunpazari Modern Museum also spans three floors. Courtesy NAARO
    The Odunpazari Modern Museum also spans three floors. Courtesy NAARO
  • There is space for nine galleries and a terrace for grand sculptures. Courtesy NAARO
    There is space for nine galleries and a terrace for grand sculptures. Courtesy NAARO

Art

Odunpazari Modern Museum: inside Turkey's newest major museum

The space was founded by art collector and businessman Erol Tabanca and designed by the famous Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau
Abu Dhabi

September 10, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

A new major museum has opened its doors in Turkey. Odunpazari Modern Museum (OMM) celebrated its public opening in Eskisehir, in the north west of the country, on Sunday, September 8. It was founded by art collector and businessman Erol Tabanca and designed by the famous Japanese architectural firm Kengo Kuma and Associates.

“We are delighted to reveal this unique building, the collection and our exciting inaugural presentations to the community here in my home town of Eskisehir and to visitors from around the world,” said Tabanca.

The museum spans 4,500 square metres. Other than hosting art exhibitions, the area will also be used for training programmes, seminars, meet and greets and workshops. There is space for nine galleries and a terrace for grand sculptures.

"The idea for OMM was to use architecture to create a link between people and art. We were deeply inspired by the history, culture, people and streetscape of Odunpazari, and we wanted the building to resonate on many levels. We hope that the museum will breathe new life into Eskisehir and become a central and inviting meeting point for the city,” said Kengo Kuma.

The museum’s first exhibition is Vuslat by Turkish curator Haldun Dostoglu and features a selection of over 100 works by 60 leading artists predominately from Turkey. It also hosts an impressive site-specific work by Japanese bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV – an intricate, eight-by-six metre installation that appears to travel from the wall and into the floor.

More information about the Odunpazari Modern Museum is available from: omm.art

TurkeyAbu DhabiArtDubai