ISTANBUL, TURKEY.- The Istanbul Modern Art Museum, the first modern art museum in Turkey, opened. The museum was supported by Bulent Eczacibasi, the suxth-richest man in Turkey. The first permanent exhibition, titled ``Observation- Interpretation-Multiplicity: 20th Century Turkish Paintings,'' also includes works by contemporary Turkish artists such as Ozdemir Altan and Omer Uluc. Not included in this showing yet part of the museum's permanent collection are also paintings and sculptures by Abidin Dino and Fikret Mualla, considered to be the fathers of modern Turkish art.

Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Turkey's largest non-government-owned bank, donated most of the collection. The Eczacibasi family, which has funded the museum project, is the second-largest donor.