‘Armenian Architects of Istanbul’ Exhibition on Display Online

ISTANBUL — Istanbul Modern’s 2010 exhibition “Armenian Architects of Istanbul,” featuring photos of architectural structures made by Armenian architects during the rule of the Ottoman Empire, can now be seen online on the Turkish Museum of Architecture’s website, Tiday’s Zaman reports.

A joint effort between the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, the International Hrant Dink Foundation and the Solidarity Association of Architects and Engineers (HAYCAR), the exhibition was on display at the Istanbul Modern from Dec. 9, 2010, to Jan. 9, 2011, as part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture program.

Now, art lovers who missed the exhibition can visit the virtual museum to have a look — www.archmuseum.org in English and www.mimarlikmuzesi.org in Turkish. The show is on the website under the heading “Armenian Architects of Istanbul in the Era of Westernization.”

Curated by architect Hasan Kuruyazici, the exhibition highlights the role of Armenian architects in shaping Ottoman Istanbul during a Westernization process that took place from the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Photos of more than 100 buildings by 40 Armenian architects, from churches to mosques and hospitals to municipal buildings, are being showcased.