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Museo de Arte contemporaneo:
On the last day of our trip to Barcelona, we had a chance to visit the Museu D’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, commonly referred to as MACBA. We got to see the most current exhibition of some famous works. I will be the first to admit that l am not a big fan of contemporary art.
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My taste runs more towards the Impressionists. I love art that is visible, in the sense that l can look, and immediately recognize what the painting is. I don’t really care about trying to guess at what the artist is trying to convey or find a hidden meaning to it. None the less, l was curious to see if l would change my mind upon seeing some of the works.
MACBA Barcelona: (Intangible art and all)
The MACBA is located in the El Raval neighborhood, Ciutat Vella. It is very modern looking building made of glass that draws light inside, making it very bright and airy. When newly built, it was referred to as “The Pearl”. It’s easy to see why.
The building stands out in an area that dates back hundreds and hundreds of years, with their narrow streets and ancient architecture. You can still glimpse part of the ancient wall that enveloped the old city from the museum, and it is located just a few blocks from the Gothic Quarter. The little square right outside is a very popular place for skateboarders to show off their skills and is also a great place to people watch.
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Museos Barcelona MACBA: First art exhibition you see is:
Some objects of desire
This main exhibition is a well known body of work by Lawrence Weiner, a New York born conceptual artist. This collection has been on permanent display since 2004. It is described as a mathematical equation that emphasizes the relationship between humans and physical objects. I didn’t get it :-). In case you can’t see what the equation is, here you go:
Some objects of desire
plus
Some objects of necessity
plus
Some objects of no concern
minus
Those things that escape notice
divided by
A force majeure
equals
Some things.
Say wwwhhaaattt ? 🙂
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The poor guide that we had was trying her best to describe it, but it was easy to tell that most of us there didn’t get it from the quizzical looks we were giving each other. I liked some of the paintings themselves, mostly red and blue symbols. They looked to me more like awesome company Logo designs which l suppose is art in itself :-).
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I enjoyed much better the colorful works that were on display by other contemporary artists that were lesser known. I also liked the old black and white photographs that were on display. There were these sets of paintings that l can not recollect who they were made by. I think she said the collection was “two faces” or something like that. I loved those!
It showed you a man as he was, and then you flip open the canvas, and there was another face of the same guy, often the true character of the face. There is the face that you present to the world, everything is fine and dandy face, but underneath, there is the true self..some happy, but more often, sad, haunting, vicious or angry. Human nature!. That l understood.
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Rinzen:
This is another permanent work by artist Antoni Tapies that is on permanent display at MACBA. I struggled really hard with this one too. In the end, l still didn’t know what to make of it, The guide said it was a complex work, and was born out of some deep trauma that was experienced by the artist as a young man. It is supposed to symbolize fragility and instability. The Bosnian war was going on when it was first presented, and that was clearly some of the thinking behind it.
I will just show you the pictures, and let you tell me what you think of it. There are three parts to the work. The hospital bed is 1. The chairs outside is 2. The #3 l am not sure if it is the chain that sort of links them together, or the chair that is next to the bed.
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Intangibles:
This was by far my favorite part of the whole visit, and l spent a considerable amount of time in here, a time capsule of sorts. Finally, something that was identifiable to me. Spanish popular culture from the seventies to the nineties. Movie stills and album covers from that period were on display.
Pedro Almodovar, the Spanish film maker has been one of my favorite artists since the eighties when l discovered what l considered classic movies, like “Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown”, “Law of Desire” and “Matador” are well represented here.
I used to have the biggest crush on Antonio Banderas then :-). It was a nice walk down memory lane. There were also listening stations. That was fun. I got to listen to old Spanish folk songs, bolero and other genres that were considered controversial, but were nonetheless popular in those times like “The Clash”.
Radio stations were constantly harassed by the police. Thank God times have changed somewhat, even though sometimes l think the pendulum might have swung way too far to the other side. Maybe l am just getting too old.
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MACBA: Variety of art
There were other displays that we did not get to see, such as Richard Hamilton’s “Growth and Form”. It looked pretty interesting, but we were running short on time. The MACBA bookstore is also a quite cute and very modern, just like the museum itself. It felt more like a work of art, you almost didn’t want to ruin the aesthetics by perusing or purchasing something, even though it’s highly encouraged.
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Is MACBA Barcelona worth visiting?
Good question! If you enjoy contemporary art, you would have a field day here. If not, you would hate it. On the whole, l enjoyed the visit to MACBA. It was nice to see a side of art that l wouldn’t normally expose myself to. While l can’t say that l liked it as much as l loved my visit to the MNAC, l am still very glad that l saw it.
Would l visit it again? The answer would be maybe, l would. The tickets would have to be free though. I wouldn’t visit the Rinzen or the Weiner works again, but l would go for the other displays as well as their constantly changing exhibitions. It is a very nice way to spend an afternoon in Barcelona. The entry fee is kind of pricey to me, but unfortunately par for the course in Barcelona.
MACBA Barcelona hours:
Placa dels Angels 1,
Barcelona 08001
Open:
Monday- Friday 11AM – 8PM
Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
Sundays and Holidays: 10AM – 3PM
*Closed Tuesdays*
Admission: €10
Nearest Metro stop to MACBA Barcelona is Catalunya
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What do you think of the MACBA and it’s exhibition of contemporary art? Do you “get it” and think l am a thicko for not getting it :-)? Are you a fan, or would you pass? What would you say is your favorite medium of art?
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I’m no fan of that kind of stuff either. A few years ago we visited the Contemporary Air Museum in Montreal and felt the same way. Nice building…but 95% of the stuff inside was just over my head. Contemporary Art: I remember in Montreal they had a play where a woman peed on stage. They called it art and had some long bullshit interpretation of what it meant.I just call it urinating in public. Pile of crap in my opinion.
I like the pop art stuff a bit more. But not a fan overall.
Frank (bbqboy)
Oh wow!!! Peeing on stage as art??? I was laughing so hard when l’m read that, tears streaming down my face laughing. It makes you wonder if people really believe that stuff or they just want to see how much BS they can get away with. I think people pretend for the most part that they see something so they can be with the “in” crowd. I just don’t get it. I want it to hit me in the face so to speak..lol.. Did you see the recent French movie, whose name escapes me right now..that the guy promised to make one of those paintings after hearing how much the main guy had paid for the “art” ? It was great!!!
Hmm, no, don’t know that one.
Yeah, I think those artists just making fun of us on the inside. The could giftwrap a turd and make up some BS story about how the artist was inspired by his relationship with his father.
About the peeing: they had this big debate whether it was obscene or just art. I can’t remember what side they decided on.
:-). The movie is called The Intouchables. You would totally enjoy it, and it’s in French so you don’t even have to do subtitles like me..hah hah! It’s all “art”. 🙂
I must admit that I don’t understand most of modern art but some of the works on display here look interesting. The building is such a work of art in and of itself, though.
I am very glad that not everything was over my head so to speak. They have lots of art that was quite normal and colorful which l really liked. The Intangibles exhibition was superb. I still very much prefer the Impressionists :-). Thanks for the comment.
I really want to get into listening to more podcasts… starting with yours! Thanks for sharing. Also, will you be around Madrid at all in October? I’ll be in Spain for about three weeks. Would be great to meet up!
Happy travels 🙂
I would be honored to have you listen to my ramblings.. :-). It’s amazing, October seems so far away even though it’s just around the corner. If l am able, l would totally love to see you. I’m due for another go round with that delightful city!!! 🙂
This was one place I would’ve liked to go in Barcelona that we didn’t make it to – I love contemporary art! It looks incredible; thanks for all the photos and info. And, no, you are not too old, Kemkem 🙂
Yeah! We finally find someone who is into contemporary art!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. That warms my heart, and thanks for making me feel young too..hah hah.. I guess the hair dye helps. 🙂
Contemporary pieces often go right over my head too! That’s how I felt when visiting the Brewery Arts Complex here in L.A. several months ago. I think artists are crazy (in the best possible way) and ingenious, and I think that’s often why their works go over our heads. With art, in some ways, I like how artists usually share the stories/thought process behind their works whereas with writing, things are left open to interpretation. Sometimes I wonder if writers intentionally write with subliminal messages – you know? Anyway, I enjoy art in all of its forms, and MACBA definitely looks worthwhile.
I always think writers leave subliminal messages, and l enjoy that thoroughly. I am constantly making up different endings and scenarios to books that l read. Contemporary art, and even cubism as well leaves way too much to interpretation, which always makes me question if they even know what their “art” is all about… :-). It’s like l can’t even grasp the basis of it, never mind putting my own spin on things..hah hah! I am just glad that the museum had other forms of art that l enjoyed very much. 🙂
I love art galleries! Awesome pics, as usual!
Thanks jetsetter 🙂
There are some interesting bits there, but indeed contemporary art is pretty strange and I don’t get it at times. The chairs for example… that’s just ruining a perfect resting location :))
Hah hah! I know what you mean by the chairs. I am just glad she said it in enough time before l sat down. It was a lovely view of the square and tapas bars too. I am also glad that l was able to enjoy quite a bit of the other art :-).