Designed by architect Markus Dochantschi, founder of Studio MDA, New York, the new museum-like art space spreads over 1,000 square meters and is the largest commercial art space in Istanbul. Hazer Özil, Dirimart's founder, explains why he chose to open a new gallery in Dolapdere: “We have been preparing this project for quite some time and looking for the right place to execute our vision for this new location -a very important factor. The gallery faces the main street in Dolapdere, a fast-emerging artistic area in İstanbul, located in a strategic, important spot in-between two art hubs in the city: Nişantaşı (where the first gallery space is still located and active) and the Pera-Beyoğlu axis where a great number of art galleries and museums are located”. 

Dirimart is inaugurating the new space with the group exhibition “Surface and Beyond,” curated by Heinz Peter Schwerfel. The exhibition, on view through July 30, presents well-known international and Turkish contemporary artists including the likes of Sarah Morris, Tomas Saraceno, Haluk Akakçe, Franz Ackermann and more, sees the showcased artworks, paintings, sculptures and films inviting the viewer on a visual journey beyond the surface to reveal political and social references.

With its white color and light, sliding walls and large glass windows that connect the gallery’s interior with an outdoor sculpture garden, it is immediately obvious that a sense of openness was crucial in the gallery’s execution. “Our aim was to create a place where the artwork can be presented in a spacious environment, where it can breathe and be shown on its own terms. The new gallery space is designed in such a way that it allows exhibitions to be held on flexible grounds -which gives great freedom to the artworks and the curator. We will also be hosting different art events, such as artist’s talks and book launches alongside our exhibitions, which will continue at both of our spaces” says Hazer Özil. 

According to architect Markus Dochantschi, Dirimart Dolapdere was “conceived as a ‘catalogue of spaces’; the space can be subdivided and converted into different sizes for screenings and other events”. Combined with the fact that transparency also plays a very important role as “the space provides high visibility for which accessibility and openness is crucial”, visitors have the unique opportunity to coexist with the artworks in an open and welcoming environment.