Dirimart Dolapdere

Dirimart Dolapdere is a contemporary art gallery located in the Dolapdere quarter of the Beyoğlu district in Istanbul, situated at Hacıahmet Mahallesi, Irmak Caddesi DLP 1–9. Established in 2002 by founder Hazer Özil, the gallery began its journey in a modest space in Nişantaşı before growing into an internationally connected cultural institution that marks its twenty-fourth anniversary in 2026. From its inception, Dirimart was created to exhibit both recognized and emerging artists from Turkey and the international art scene within a framework dedicated to critical dialogue and mutual intellectual interaction. The Dolapdere gallery represents a central pillar within Dirimart's multi-location structure, which also includes a second Istanbul location in Pera and an international space in Mayfair, London. According to the gallery’s own statements, its work continues with an intensified focus on challenging and bringing renewed vitality to the prevailing gallery model in Istanbul. Visitors frequent Dirimart Dolapdere to encounter ambitious contemporary presentations developed around foundational commitments to conceptualism, political resistance, and intellectual rigor. Rather than functioning simply as a commercial venue, the gallery pairs its exhibition schedule with extensive scholarly initiatives, art fair participations, and critical publications that document long-term artistic practices. Guests can explore museum-grade solo projects and group presentations while gaining access to specialized artist monographs and theory volumes that trace important artistic developments from the early 2000s to the present day.

Programme and What's On

Dirimart maintains an active annual programme structured across physical gallery exhibitions, international art fairs, artist talks, and an in-house publishing arm. The exhibition calendar features ambitious solo presentations from prominent figures in contemporary art. A central highlight on the gallery's schedule is the exhibition Ugo Rondinone: the sun and the mountain, running from September 2 to November 8, 2026. This exhibition exemplifies Dirimart’s practice of introducing significant bodies of international contemporary work to audiences in Istanbul, situating large-scale artistic investigations within the distinctive architectural environment of the Dolapdere space.

Beyond its gallery walls in Beyoğlu, Dirimart regularly projects its artists onto major global platforms through dedicated participation in international art fairs. For example, the gallery took part in Frieze Seoul 2026 from September 2 to September 5, 2026, facilitating cross-border visibility for contemporary practices developed in Turkey and abroad. Alongside physical exhibitions and fairs, the gallery hosts specialized discursive events and artist talks. One notable exchange was the talk conducted around artist Çağla Ulusoy’s publication, where she joined ArtReview editor Fi Churchman on June 6 at Dirimart London to discuss her newly released artist book.

A distinctive and foundational dimension of Dirimart’s programme is its dedicated publishing initiative, RES Publishing (RES Yayınları), established in 2007. Through this imprint, the gallery produces leading exhibition catalogues, artist monographs, and volumes exploring critical art theory. Key representative publications include:

• Overworked - Çağla Ulusoy: An artist book compiling eighty-three selected paintings created by the artist, accompanied by carefully arranged collage works that expand upon her visual vocabulary.
• İnci Eviner: Çizginin Üzerinde ve Ötesinde Hareket: A comprehensive monograph analyzing İnci Eviner’s artistic output and studio practice from the early 2000s to the present day, featuring critical essays and commentary contributed by Roger Malbert and Heinz Peter Schwerfel.

Through this interconnected schedule of curated exhibitions, international showcases, and theory-driven publications, Dirimart ensures that each project is backed by substantial archival documentation and critical literature.

Atmosphere and Who It Suits

The environment at Dirimart Dolapdere is defined by an atmosphere of concentrated study, intellectual rigor, and institutional seriousness. Rather than presenting visual art purely as ambient background or decorative display, the gallery builds its identity around three primary intellectual pillars: conceptualism, political resistance, and uncompromising theoretical scrutiny. This orientation sets a thoughtful, contemplative tone throughout the exhibition halls, where visitors encounter work that actively invites analytical questioning, critical reflection, and prolonged engagement.

This atmosphere makes Dirimart Dolapdere particularly suited for contemporary art professionals, academics, university students, curators, and collectors who seek substance and political resonance in modern visual expression. It also caters directly to readers and researchers of critical humanities who value access to artist monographs and specialized art theory volumes produced by RES Publishing. Those looking for quick casual entertainment will find instead an environment geared toward serious cultural study and quiet observation.

The space is supported on-site by a specialized professional team based in Istanbul. Curatorial direction and overall institutional leadership in Turkey are spearheaded by Turkey Gallery Director Dilara Altuğ, while strategic market development is guided by Sales Strategy Director Yeşim Uygur, PhD. Corporate communication, publication production, and research initiatives are steered by Corporate Communications & Publications Director Erdem İlgi Akter, PhD. In the gallery rooms, artist representation and direct liaisons are managed by Mehmet Ali Oktay and Naz Ayan, ensuring smooth communication between creative practitioners and the public.

Visitor interactions on the gallery floor are assisted by Gallery Assistants Emrah Karael and Özge Yalçındağ, who support daily operations and visitor reception. The careful installation and physical presentation of complex artworks are executed by dedicated art handlers Rıdvan Kaya, Osman Bolat, and Gökhan Daşdöğen. Together, this institutional structure sustains a professional and contemplative gallery environment where visitors can engage deeply with demanding contemporary art concepts.

Location and Practical Details

Dirimart Dolapdere is located at Hacıahmet Mahallesi, Irmak Caddesi DLP 1–9, 34440 Beyoğlu, İstanbul, Türkiye. The venue is positioned directly within the Dolapdere quarter of the Beyoğlu district. When planning a visit, it is essential to distinguish this branch from Dirimart’s other physical spaces in Istanbul and abroad, which include Dirimart Pera in Istanbul and Dirimart Mayfair in London. Visitors should take note that the Dirimart Pera space is temporarily closed due to the off-season. Consequently, active gallery programming and public viewings in Istanbul are currently focused at the Dolapdere premises on Irmak Caddesi.

The operational schedule for the Dolapdere gallery is structured as follows:

• Monday to Friday: Open from 10:00 to 17:00 for public gallery visits.
• Saturday and Sunday: Prior reservation is required. Weekend visitors must contact the gallery staff in advance to arrange an appointment.

To schedule a weekend appointment or to inquire about upcoming exhibition schedules, visitors can contact the gallery by telephone at +90 212 2326666 or (0212) 232 66 66. Written correspondence, catalog inquiries, and general scheduling requests can be directed to the official email address at [email protected].

On-site operations and institutional management at the Dolapdere branch are supported by a full administrative infrastructure. Human resources and office logistics are led by Human Resources and Administrative Affairs Director Zeynep Terzi, alongside Assistant Finance Director Şennur Yetgin, Accounting Specialist Alaattin Sucu, and Assistant Accounting Specialist Gökhan Özer. Digital presence and audience engagement are overseen by Technical Marketing & Growth Lead Kürşat Zaman with Visual Communications and Social Media Specialist Gözde Gezgin. Commercial inquiries and sales logistics are managed by Sales Executive Şevval Yürüten, with cross-border coordination facilitated by International Operations Coordinator Zeycan Şimdi. Facility operations are maintained with the assistance of support services staff members Muhammed Sincan and Çiğdem Öztürk.

The Mio Angle: Meeting and Events

For the Mio community seeking distinctive cultural gathering points in Istanbul, Dirimart Dolapdere offers a focused, intellectually driven meeting ground rather than a casual social café. When Mio users ask each other where to go for compelling contemporary art and curated dialogue in Beyoğlu, this venue stands out as a destination suited for serious cultural pairs, research colleagues, and art collectors. The space is ideal for structured afternoon meetups during regular weekday operating hours between 10:00 and 17:00, or for pre-arranged weekend visits scheduled via prior appointment.

From a sharing and documentation perspective on Mio, Dirimart Dolapdere provides visual and intellectual material grounded in major contemporary presentations. Visitors can document their experience engaging with landmark exhibitions such as Ugo Rondinone: the sun and the mountain, or share insights from published volumes produced by RES Publishing. The presence of specialized artist books—such as Çağla Ulusoy’s eighty-three-painting volume Overworked - Çağla Ulusoy or İnci Eviner’s career-spanning monograph featuring texts by Roger Malbert and Heinz Peter Schwerfel—gives Mio members unique cultural artifacts to photograph, review, and discuss within the app's community feeds.

Mio travelers moving between international design and art hubs can also trace Dirimart’s broader institutional network. While exploring the Dolapdere space on Irmak Caddesi, members can connect the gallery's Istanbul presentations to its global presence, which includes participation in international fairs like Frieze Seoul 2026 and programming coordinated at Dirimart Mayfair in London. The international team in London—led by International Gallery Director Levent Özmen, Sales Director Fredrika Olausson, Artist Relations specialist Holly Stone, and Gallery Assistant Isabella Garrett—mirrors the curatorial rigor seen in Dolapdere.

When recommending Dirimart Dolapdere on Mio, advise fellow members to plan ahead: drop in on weekdays between 10:00 and 17:00, or reserve weekend slots in advance via phone or email to ensure an uninterrupted, in-depth gallery experience.