Proje4L / Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art

The Proje4L / Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art is a private collection museum in Istanbul, Turkey, founded by Dr. Can Elgiz and his wife Sevda Elgiz. Established in 2001 as the Proje4L Istanbul Museum of Contemporary Art, it was the first non-profit institution in Turkey dedicated to contemporary art. Located in the Maslak business district, the museum remains free to the public and plays a significant role in promoting Turkish contemporary art both domestically and internationally.

The museum opened in 2001 under the name Proje4L Istanbul Museum of Contemporary Art, at a time when no non-profit institutions in Turkey were devoted to contemporary art. Its founding mission was to foster the development of contemporary art in Turkey by providing space, support, and international visibility for young Turkish artists. Vasif Kortun served as director from 2001 to 2003, followed by Fulya Erdemci (2003-2004) and Işın Önol (2006-2009). In 2005, as new art institutions and museums began to emerge across the Turkish art scene, the Elgiz family converted the space into a private collection museum under the name Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art to house the Elgiz Collection.

The Elgiz Collection comprises works by influential Turkish and international artists spanning the major contemporary art movements of the last two decades. Its eclectic character allows for a comprehensive survey of recent developments in contemporary art while advancing the globalization of Turkish art. The collection maintains its dynamism through the regular integration of new works by emerging young artists, reflecting the museum's ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent alongside its established holdings.

The collection includes works by prominent Turkish artists such as Ömer Uluç, Fahrelnissa Zeid, Abdurrahman Öztoprak, Gülsün Karamustafa, Azade Köker, Mustafa Kunt, Hale Tenger, Özlem Günyol, and Iskender Yediler. International artists represented include Eric Fischl, Günther Förg, Gilbert & George, Doug Aitken, Darren Almond, Tracey Emin, Jan Fabre, Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, Julian Schnabel, Andy Warhol, Thomas Struth, Nan Goldin, Robert Rauschenberg, Sol LeWitt, Rebecca Horn, Peter Halley, Paul McCarthy, David Salle, and Sarah Morris, among others.

The museum occupies 2,000 square metres of exhibition space in the dynamic business district of Maslak in Istanbul. The layout includes a main hall for selections from the Elgiz Collection, two Project Rooms dedicated to young Turkish talents, a glass Open Archive Room where gallerists and collectors can browse artist portfolios, and a conference room that hosts lectures on collecting.

The Elgiz Museum is located in Maslak, Istanbul Province, and is open to the public free of charge. Visiting hours are Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, and Tuesday by appointment. The museum is closed on national holidays. Its official website is www.proje4l.org.