Museums in Argentina

Museums

By Laura Granfortuna

Argentina has a reputation for being the most “European” nation in all of Latina America, and part of this, undoubtedly, has to do with the appreciation of art and culture that pervades the society. Most places you visit you are guaranteed to find live dance, music and theatre, and let’s not forget, a lot of great museums. Museums in Argentina are plentiful and astoundingly diverse. Whether you are interested in film, sculpture, ethnography, wine, oil or taxes, there is a museum about it.

Every year Argentina’s capital and heart of culture, Buenos Aires, hosts “La Noche de los Museos,” or the Night of Museums. One night each spring (September – November) from seven in the evening until two in the morning, a selection of the city´s museums open their doors to the public free of charge. The occasion is accompanied by over a hundred artistic performances – multimedia presentations, jazz quartets, electronic DJs, tango, drama, folkloric dance – you get the idea. The city even provides mini-buses to ferry you around from museum to museum. This year (2008) La Noche is set for November 15.

People interested primarily in art should make MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires) their first stop. Inside its clean, cubic exterior of large cream bricks and glass, MALBA has about 200 pieces on display from the early 20th century to the present. MALBA puts a particular focus on engaging with the public to foment interest in Latin American art and promote artistic collaboration.

The Centro Cultural Borges is another great spot for people who love all of the arts. In addition to presenting a collection of works by artists such as Joan Miró and René Burri, the Center also holds music, theatre, and dance performances, art-focused conferences and seminars, and screens independent films.

If, like so many Argentines, you are fascinated by Eva Perón, the Museo Evita was created to satisfy your curiosity. The museum building itself is a beautiful French-style house from the early 1900s. Inside, documentaries, articles, and objects (including Evita’s old clothing) tell the story of Evita’s life from her childhood until her death.

Consider yourself a sommelier? Learn about the history and processes of winemaking in Argentina at the Museo Nacional del Vino or Museo del Vino San Felipe in Mendoza, and stick around for a sample or two.

If the kids are tired of looking at paintings, take them to the Museo Chicos, an educational museum that prides itself on providing children the opportunity to interact with the arts and sciences.

These are a few highlights to help get you started, but there are many more – seek out the things that interest you most.