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2022 was a year that the hardships caused by the pandemic disappeared and the art environment came alive again. Along with many exhibitions, art competitions, biennials and the events held in parallel with the biennials newly opened museums especially in Istanbul refreshed the art and culture scene of the city.
Beyond doubt, among these museums the most intriguing one with its large collection is İstanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum which was opened in October with its Collection Exhibition. Another notable place is Cendere Art Museum which was opened after a successful restoration by İBB Miras, the cultural heritage department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The building that was constructed as Cendere Hamidiye Pomping Station in 1902, offers a quiet alternative in the periphery of the city with its beautiful garden and 390 years old plane tree. Certainly, newly opened museums are not only in Istanbul.
İzmir Painting and Sculpture Museum which was damaged in 2020 earthquake is another museum that opened last year after its renovation. But 2023’s most awaited and biggest surprise is İstanbul Modern with its building designed by Renzo Piano who has won one of the most prestigious award of architecture, Pritzker. While preperations still continute, a 6 meter long sculpture by British artist Tony Cragg who lent his work to the museum for a long period was installed at the entrance of the museum. Right across İstanbul Modern, in the middle of serene Bosphorus is The Maiden Tower with its ongoing restoration, another historical place to be opened as a museum in 2023 according to a statement of Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Cover Image: Cemal Emden— İstanbul Modern
Aygen Demiriz