Day 414: Buenos Aires, Argentina
This city is full of love.
Buenos Aires does not simply tolerate or encourage art but loves it and lives it. Everyone here has some kind of artistic background, they cherish art and when there is an art event EVERYONE goes.
It’s like if someone took your hometown art community, multiplied it by a million and moved it to Argentina.
The one event everyone in the city seems to be talking about was ArteBA.
It’s the 20th anniversary of largest contemporary art fair in Latin America. It is a bit expensive with a $10 entry fee – Buenos Aires usually has free art events but this hasn’t stopped 120,000 people from going.
This fair is far better than any traditional museum I’ve been to, there are hundreds of paintings, photographs, sculptures, video and a lot of things I don’t know how to categorize.
People brought their children who appeared to have been at so many art events they actually knew how to behave.
I was excited to see Marta Minujín’s exhibit as I actually knew who she was, people crowded around her work to have their photo taken with it.
I’m really starting to like the porteño queen of pop art, I found out that while she has large pieces for sale, she also sells small pieces because she believes her art should be available to everyone.
There is something really wonderful about a city that cherishes art events. Sometimes the art is weird and crazy but people seem to embrace expression. It’s going to be an interesting time for me in this city.
That’s really great, sounds like a very lively city. For sure they’ll organize events all year long, glad to see people appreciate this!
It’s very cool that BA is so encouraging of its arts community. I know a lot of cities that could take a lesson…
What a curious little thing that is in the 2nd photo. 🙂
Weird eh?
Interesting, it reminded me of The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Romania 🙂
The art in these photos look more fun than “traditional art”. I love the plant with teeth.
I know the weirdness intrigued me.
I was amazed at how big and diverse this event was. I had never seen anything like it.
Good point you make about the kids. I didn’t realize it at the time, but they were well-behaved and even seemed to be interested in the art.
Well behaved children in South America is a novelty.
I love it about Buenos SAires people that they love art!
Very nice post and I don’t really think that $10 for a art fair is expensive unless you are just so used to going for free. These is a great event to take the family and I love the weird looking plant. Almost looks like an octopus.
It’s definitely all within context. Buenos Aires is comparatively an expensive city so most of the events are free which is nice, when you have to pay to go somewhere it better be good!
This reminded me of a big biennial art exhibit I saw in Sao Paulo last year (Bienal). I normally wouldn’t go to something like that in Santiago because I don’t consider myself a big fan of art, but because I was already in the mindset of exploring a new city I checked it out and really enjoyed it. It’s great that you’re able to take advantage of BsAs’ art scene while you’re there.
I am not a fan of fine art but Buenos Aires is much more into modern art without getting too weird.
Looks fun!
sounds like a fabulous to be 🙂
It does look very fun and entertaining. I am surprised to learn that all of community attends. Here in the states, it takes dang near everything just to get folks to fill up the venue. That particular venue in your photos is very rad. 🙂
Here they really value art and it’s at the heart of the culture.
There was a huge Marta Minujín exibit at Malba a few months ago. It was really impressive.
I watched it on the MALBA video at ArteBA (where the kids are dancing in the lead photo) so sad I missed out, that lady is crazy.
I do enjoy art but more of a classical art fan than modern. For me, art is something I have had to learn to appreciate and I have travel to thank for that!
Interesting that you like fine art better, they have it here as well but I haven’t gone to see any of it.
I absolutely love that alien mouth centre piece in that third photo. It’s so cool.
(Reminds me of an ex…
…kidding!)
Oh believe me I would say a lot worse about some of my exes!
Ayngelina~
Love this.. i believe art is for all people 2 ❤
love modern art. my favourite art around ba was simply the stencil art, both political and just for the hell of it types.
art fairs rule!
i also appreciate when artists sell there work to mere mortals. after all, just having their work seen and appreciated is the real reason they started in the first place.
I love stencil art as well, I am going to see Hollywood in Cambodia later this week!
OH HOW I LOOOVED BUENOS AIRES! I WAS THERE FOR THIS EVENT IN 2009…THERE WAS SO MUCH FANTASTIC ART AND THINGS TO SEE… WONDERFUL EVENT!
I agree, BsAs has such a bustling arts scene and what I love the most about it is that it’s such a non traditional arts scene. It’s very cool.
I’m not much of a fine arts fan either, I love how art is so accessible for everyone here.
Everyone should have the opportunity to be exposed to things like this..that is way I enjoyed the ROM so much.
The ROM really is great, here it is like the entire city is the ROM.
Also in Buenos Aires you can enjoy the Gallery Nights an event that happens every year were everyone goes from one Art Gallery to another during the whole night meeting people and having glasses of champagne to enjoy art. Another recommendation don´t miss the exhibition of films every week in the MALBA Museum it´s fantastic!
Yes I missed the last Gallery night, do you know when the next one is? I am hoping this Friday..
8 de JUNIO Circuito Palermo
3º Gallery Nights 2011
Niceto Vega 5181
PROXIMOS GALLERY NIGHTS
Viernes 24 de Junio , Circuito
Retiro, Recoleta y Barrio Norte.
What a great photo. You capture youth and innocence and energy in it. I love it. Thanks. ~vago
Thanks Vago, it was so great to see people of all ages at this event.
What a cool exhibit! The art community is just one of many things that I love about BsAs!
It looks fabulous. I love a town, community, city that embraces art to the fullest. 🙂
Mmmmmm, I love artsy cities. 🙂
Whenever I see contemporary art exhibit, I’m always wondering what’s so special with those weird items being displayed… I guess, In order for me to appreciate contemporary art I must be well educated, with the skills to recognize subtle hidden meanings and such. Although it is hopeless for me, I am still curious about those who can appreciate contemporary art.
Cool! Reminds me of the Armory Show here in NYC. Love seeing so much innovative art in one place 🙂
I love art, but I have to say the 2nd picture looks kind of weird. what is that? hahah It also look like some weird plant too.
Interesting, it reminded me of The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Romania ?and some like this in Copenhagen