A Century-Old City Archive on the Shores of the Golden Horn: “Memory of the Collective” at Artİstanbul Feshane

Where is the memory of a city kept? In archive rooms, libraries, or back alleys; or in the art that city produces, accumulates, and feels? The rich collection of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), shaped over the years, is opening to the public in such a comprehensive and transparent manner for the first time with the exhibition “Memory of the Collective: IMM Collections.” Opening its doors at Artİstanbul Feshane, rising along the historical fabric of the Golden Horn, the exhibition gathers 627 works by 187 artists under a single roof, presenting a century of visual memory extending from the Ottoman era to the present day to the audience. Moreover, admission is completely free.

The Public Transformation of an Institutional Collection

The IMM Art Collection turned into a massive accumulation through institutional acquisitions, grants, and donations over the years; however, this accumulation had not been made accessible to the public with systematic integrity until today. The word “collective” in the title of the exhibition carries a double-layered meaning: while on one hand it symbolizes the memory-accumulating responsibility of a public institution, on the other hand it directly points to Istanbul’s shared cultural identity.

This collection is not merely a museum inventory; it is the summary of an accumulation directly belonging to this city’s soil, its people, and its historical turning points.

From Bellini to Bedri Rahmi: A Century-Long Timeline

The curation of the exhibition takes the viewer on an uninterrupted journey through time, starting from the late period of the Ottoman Empire and stretching to the modernization efforts of the Republic. The names coming side-by-side transform the exhibition into not just an aesthetic show, but also a document of political and cultural history:

• Gentile Bellini: The Venetian master who came to Istanbul in the 15th century upon the personal invitation of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror to paint his portrait; as one of the oldest documents of the East-West synthesis, it is among the crowning pieces of the collection.

• Abdülmecid Efendi (1868–1944): Besides being the last Caliph of the Ottoman Empire, a pioneering painter who brought academic painting onto palace walls.

• Tevfik Fikret (1867–1915): Beyond being a giant figure in Turkish literature and poetry, one of the visual voices of Early Period Turkish modernization with his canvas and brush.

• Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu (1911–1975): The most original figure of Republican painting, bringing the technical experience of Western art together with Anatolian motifs and local colors.

From Textile Factory to Cultural Oasis: Art Memory in Industrial Heritage

The venue choice for the exhibition is at least as meaningful as its content. Established in the 19th century to meet the broadcloth and fez needs of the Ottoman army, Feshane-i Amire transformed into Artİstanbul Feshane—one of the city’s most dynamic contemporary cultural spaces today—through IMM’s restoration drive. Observing the city’s artistic heritage within the industrial atmosphere of that high-ceilinged, brick and iron-textured industrial legacy flawlessly brings together the spirit of production from the past with the spirit of creation today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Artİstanbul Feshane’s “Memory of the Collective”

Where and until what date can the exhibition be visited?

• The exhibition is open to visitors until December 13, 2026, at Artİstanbul Feshane (Cibali, Golden Horn). It can be visited free of charge every day of the week except Mondays between 10:00–20:00.

How many works and artists are featured in the exhibition?

• A total of 627 works by 187 artists from the period extending from the Ottoman era to the present day are featured.

Who are the prominent works and artists?

• A wide selection is presented, ranging from Gentile Bellini’s portrait of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror to Abdülmecid Efendi’s academic canvases; from Tevfik Fikret’s oil paintings to Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu’s colorful compositions.

NO-26 Editor’s Art Route Note

Opening a public collection to the populace in such a transparent, scaled, and free manner is not a luxury we frequently encounter in the Istanbul art scene. There is a time window of nearly a year ahead of us; however, there is no need to wait to connect with the city’s own memory in this historical factory on the shores of the Golden Horn. Steer your route to Cibali on a sunny day on the Golden Horn and enjoy this massive city archive!