Big Five – FeedNothing defines a nation and its people as effectively as its arts. From painting to dance to music to writing, creative expressions reveal the energy, culture, concerns and passions of its people. For art lovers, the museums and art galleries of the world add texture, knowledge and depth to their travel experiences. These gems of beauty and of information present an avenue of discovery into how a community thinks and what it values. In addition to museums, we can arrange for our travel guests to explore local art galleries if they are interested. Below are a smattering of fascinating and energetic museums for art lovers that can be incorporated into your itinerary.
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
MALBA, supported by Colección Costantini, is a private museum that opened to the public in 2001. It houses one of the most impressive collections of Latin American art. Exhibitions showcase such established artists as Antonio Berni, Pedro Figari, Frida Kahlo, Candido Portinari, Diego Rivera, and Antonio Siguí. Many of the works confront social issues and explore questions of national identity. From the first modern and avant-garde movements to the more contemporary productions of the late 20th century, the collection’s exhibition varies according to the Annual Program of Acquisitions and to the generous donations received from artists, their family members, and private collectors. Consider adding the interesting museum to our Argentina exploration
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
Mumbai, India
Mumbai‘s National Gallery of Modern Art has it all – from Picasso to relics from ancient Egypt. Without question, this is a premier art facility in India, and is the repository of the cultural ethos of the country showcasing the changing art forms through the passage of the last 150 years, starting about 1857 in the field of visual and plastic arts. The NGMA also houses one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art in the country. The idea of a national art gallery was envisioned about 1949, and the city welcomed it launch on March 29, 1954. For those interested, it is well worth a visit when touring Mumbai such as on this 13- day North India journey
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Wellington, New Zealand
Te Papa in Wellington is New Zealand’s national museum, and is renowned for being bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and fun. Collections span five areas: art, history, Pacific, Māori and the natural environment. Exhibitions are interdisciplinary. This museum follows others that have developed programs for kids and families. The museum also offers exhibitions that speak about the traditional culture such “Tangata o le Moana: The story of Pacific people in New Zealand.”
Every 18 months to 2 years, another community is given the opportunity to present its story. Te Papa develops each exhibition in close cooperation with the community and has featured the Chinese, Dutch, Indian, Italian, and Scottish communities of New Zealand. An exhibition about refugees in New Zealand, The Mixing Room is the latest to be featured. For The Mixing Room Te Papa worked with 70 young people who came as refugees to New Zealand from 27 diverse communities so they could tell their stories in their own way through art, film, poetry, performance and digital media. Customize your New Zealand itinerary to include this fascinating museum.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Bangkok, Thailand
For the Asian art enthusiast, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is a new mid-town facility that should be on your list. It offers views of contemporary arts with art, music, theater, film, design, literature and cultural/educational events. The BACC aims to create a meeting place for artists and the community to explore cultural continuity from past to present. It is intended as a venue for cultural exchange and to give Bangkok an operational base on the international art scene. This center gives you an opportunity to explore country’s art and culture. You can add this intriguing center in Bangkok on your discovery of Thailand.
National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN)
Windhoek, Namibia
The National Art Gallery of Namibia is situated at the corner of Robert Mugabe Avenue and John Meinert Street in the capital city of Namibia. From the time of independence in 1990, interest in creating a National Art Gallery of Namibia began to grow. The NAGN formally came into being with the promulgation of the National Art Gallery of Namibia Act 14 of 2000. Today, it is a national museum, housing the Arts Association Heritage Trust Permanent Collection and the NAGN Permanent Collection. The NAGN also hosts contemporary exhibitions of local, national and international art.
The Permanent Collection is made up of approximately 270 contemporary art works of Namibian origin, and endeavors to mark noteworthy developments in Namibian art. The greatest part of the collection has been collected during group and individual exhibitions hosted by the NAGN. The selection process is based on conceptual and technical quality, and the relative contribution of the work to the body of Namibian art. The collection comprises work representing different disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, mixed media, new media and outstanding works of craft. The collection demonstrates and contains the very best art works and within them are intuitive and uncommon pieces that are not only beautiful but significant within the history of Namibia. You can add this museum to your customized Namibia adventure.
