50th Anniversary of the Republic Sculptures

It initially planned to commission 50 sculptures to mark the anniversary; however, due to limited funds the number was reduced to 20.

[2] On 13 September 1973, the sketches and photographs sent by the 20 selected artists were approved by the board members of the committee.

The result of the project was 20 sculptures erected in public spaces in Istanbul by important sculptors which reflected their original sculpting style.

Güzel İstanbul, by Gürdal Duyar, was found by certain traditional conservatives to be "indecent"; it was removed from Karaköy Square and eventually taken to Yıldız Park.

Abstract sculptures which were lost include one by Füsun Onur which was removed during Bedrettin Dalan's municipal tenure in 1985, one by Seyhun Topuz which collapsed due to "natural causes" in 1984, and one by Tamer Başoğlu which disappeared in 1986, while those by Yavuz Görey and Metin Haseki were probably stolen for their bronze and copper.