The Istanbul Textile Traders’ Market (İMÇ), one of the most significant examples of Istanbul’s modern architectural heritage, also holds special importance due to the artworks it houses. Constructed in two phases — the first completed in 1967 and the second in 1968 — the complex remains actively used in the heart of the city today.
The modern artworks from the Republican era displayed in İMÇ’s public spaces had suffered from years of exposure to outdoor elements. However, thanks to a project initiated by the Foundation for the Cultural Awareness Foundation (Kültür Bilincini Geliştirme Vakfı ), these artworks were cleaned on May 17, 2008.
With the participation of the Private Sector Volunteers Association, the Tangram Team from Yapı Kredi Bank, Foundation volunteers, and restoration experts, nine artworks located within İMÇ were restored to their former glory. Informative plaques bearing the name of the artwork and the artist were placed next to the cleaned pieces.
On June 10, 2008, a ceremony was held with the attendance of Deputy Governor Cumhur Güven Taşbaşı (responsible for cultural affairs in the Istanbul Governorship), executives from the Cultural Awareness Foundation, the Tangram Team, İMÇ management, and volunteers involved in the project.
Artworks cleaned as part of the project:
- "Birds – Abstract Composition” / Kuzgun Acar (1928–1976)
- "Füreyya 1969” / Füreyya Koral (1910–1997)
- "Eren Eyüboğlu 1965” / Eren Eyüboğlu (1907–1988)
- "Decorative Pool Plastic” / Yavuz Görey (1912–1995)
- "Sadi Diren 1967 – Abstract Composition” / Sadi Diren (1927–2018)
- "Horses – Nedim Günsür 1967” / Nedim Günsür (1924–1994)
- "Abstract Composition 1965” / Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu (1911–1975)
- "Istanbul Abstract Composition 1965” / Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu (1911–1975)
- "Abstract Composition” / Ali Teoman Germaner (1934–2018)
The history of the market, the importance placed on art, and the cleaning efforts for these artworks were also featured in a book titled From “İmece” to İMÇ, published by the İMÇ administration in 2009.