As an artsy fartsy kinda girl, anytime I visit a new city, the art galleries and museums are the first attractions I check out. Upon arrival in the Paris of South America you will be spoilt for choice, for Buenos Aires is absolutely teeming with culture from the classical period right up until the present day. Here is my pick of the top spots to get a healthy dose of arts and culture, one that you may have heard of and four you may not know of yet…
MALBA
Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415
Open every day except Tuesday 12-8 PM. Wednesday until 9 PM.
Half price on Wednesday.
A quest for Buenos Aires finest art is not complete without a trip to MALBA. It boasts an extraordinary collection of modern Latin American art beginning in the early 20th century. It houses many Argentine painters such as Berni and Pettoruti as well as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The modernist white cube of a building is in itself a work of art, and stands proudly on Av. Pres. Figueroa Alcorta 3415. For those of you who consider themselves art nerds there is also an expansive book shop which is perfect for browsing. Recent international exhibitions have included the likes of Mario Testino and Andy Warhol. MALBA is a great all rounder introduction to modern Latin American art.
Xul Solar Museo
Laprida 1212
Open Tuesday until Friday 12-8 PM. Saturday 12-7 PM.
Tucked away on a quiet residential street, sandwiched between Recoleta and Palermo you’ll find Xul Solar’s previous home. As one of Argentina’s most revered artists, this beautifully converted museum houses a large permanent collection of his work. As a small museum, this means you are able to guide yourself through his fantastical work. Not everyone knows of this hidden gem, so if you’re lucky you may even have this place to yourself.
Usina del Arte
Agustín R. Caffarena 1
Open Tuesday until Thursday 2-7 PM. Friday until Sunday 12-9 PM.
Free entry.
A 1916 power plant turned cultural space on the edge of La Boca. Frequent temporary exhibitions and a concert venue mean that is place is a hive of buzzing cultural activity. Right now it is exhibiting Bjork Digital. Despite its slightly less salubrious location on the edge of La Boca, this only adds to its offbeat and hip vibe. Perfectly combined with a look around La Boca’s street art. This is the place to go if you are after really up to the minute art as well as other cultural experiences.
Fortabat Art Collection
Olga Cossettini 141
Open Tuesday until Sunday 12-8 PM.
After admiring the the ultra sky high towers that make up Puerto Madero, head along the river side until you reach a glass arc shaped structure that is home to the former private collection of Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat. A former Argentine philanthropist and art collector, Fortabat’s collection is vast and spans from classical art up until the late 20th century. Definitely worth a look at one of Argentina’s most prominent private collections of art. If you time it right, you’ll be able to step out of the museum just as the sun is setting over Puerto Madero, creating a beautiful vista over the river.
Fundacion Proa
Avenida Don Pedro de Mendoza 1929
Open Tuesday until Sunday 11-7 PM.
Closed between 1st January and the 1st May.
One to tie in with your visit to Usina del Arte is the Fundacion Proa. A beautiful 19th century Italian mansion is home to a frequently changing programme of temporary international exhibitions. When you’ve been and done the El Caminito stretch of La Boca make sure head to Fundacion Proa for a cultural fix. Proa attracts the most innovative artists from within Argentina and from around the World, their upcoming exhibition is of Ai Weiwei. Full of multimedia installations and quirky art, be sure not to miss the roof terrace from which an impressive view of the shipyard can be seen.
