South America`s Top 10 Galleries, Museums and Art Spaces

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South America's Top 10 Galleries,
Museums and Art Spaces
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There are many world-class galleries and museums in South America. However, the
continent is also famous for the prevalence of graffiti and street art - contemporary art
occupying communal urban spaces. Therefore, in this list, we want to explore the idea of
art space,the best among them supporting the artists and allowing them to be inspired by
the environment around them. Read on for our pick of the best galleries, museums and
spaces in South America.
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lugar a dudas I © lugar a dudas cali/Flickr
lugar a dudas
This art space is not muddied by commercialisation. The name of the project in English is
'room for doubts' and thus the team describe lugar a dudas as being akin to a laboratory.
For example, the artist-in-residence programs provide a platform for experimentations
and the exchange of ideas. Also, the engaging array of events such as film screenings,
exhibitions and workshops are all geared towards stimulating debate and hosting an open
dialogue about the creative process within a societal context. This is definitely an
impressive independent project - enriching Cali's cultural profile.
lugar a dudas, Calle 15N, Cali, Colombia
Espacio de Arte Contemporáneo
Miguelete Jail in Montevideo had been left abandoned -derelict and empty. Then the
government had a bright idea to transform this jail into a furnace of artistic creativity. So in
July 2010, EAC came into existence - occupying two floors in a wing of the jail - and thereby
becoming a unique space in Uruguay for the exploration of contemporary art. The gallery
hosts exhibitions by national and international artists, workshops and organises events
that take advantage of this atmospheric venue.
Espacio de Arte Contemporaneo, Arenal Grande 1929, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Inhotim I © Casa Fora do Eixo Minas/Flickr
Inhotim
Belo Horizonte can lay claim to possessing one of the finest cultural landmarks in South
America. Inhotim has an international reputation, with culture vultures flocking from all
over the world to witness this astonishing creation in rural Brazil. It is a mesmerising
spectacle as world-class artworks and visually-arresting experimental art installations are
situated within what appears to be paradise. Indeed, people can see a record number of
palm trees and plants in the botanical garden – thousand of different species on show –
while simultaneously absorbing the very best in contemporary art - from Brazil and
beyond – such as Brazilian artist Tunga, Yayoi Kusama and Olafur Eliasson.
Inhotim, Rua B, 20 Centro, Brumadinho, Brazil
Museo del Barro
This is a very important institution in Asunción, as it endeavours to document and survey
Paraguay's artistic expression throughout the centuries. So the Department of
Documentation and Research is at the core of the museum's work in promoting different
facets of Paraguayan culture. Significantly, it houses a fascinating permanent collection of
rural, indigenous and urban artworks. For example, this encompasses religious art by
Jesuits, indigenous art such as pottery, carvings, fabrics and baskets as well as
contemporary visual art reacting to Stroessner's dictatorship. This is all complemented
with temporary exhibitions.
Museo del Barro, Grabadores del Kabichu'i, Asunción, Paraguay
MALBA I © jennifer yin/Flickr
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
There are many riveting art galleries in Buenos Aires, including Museo Nacional de Bellas
Artes. However, MALBA merits an inclusion for combining world-class Latin American art
collection with a cultural centre that is keenly attuned to new developments in
contemporary art within the continent. The museum was created by the Fundacion
Costantini: named after Argentinian businessman Eduardo Costantini. His permanent
collection consists of ground-breaking artists such as Diego Rivera, Joaquín Torres García
and Argentinian figurative artist Antonio Berni. Along with temporary exhibitions, there are
also art-house film showings, literature seminars and live music at MALBA.
MALBA, Av. Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Armando Rosales, Ensayo de dominio ©Suwon Lee/Oficina #1.
Oficina #1
Oficina #1 is a very important entity in the Venezuelan art scene, for - as the name alludes
to – it was the very first contemporary art space to be run solely by artists in the country.
Since starting in 2005, the gallery continues to stand out in Venezuela owing to its
refreshing impetus for promoting emerging talent such as Ivan Candeo - now a
prominent artist in South America. Oficina #1 is located in the trendy Centro de Arte Los
Galpones: a thriving cultural hub in Caracas committed to showcasing artistic expression
in all of its forms.
Oficina #1, G9 8va Transversal con Av, Caracas, Venezuela
© Courtesy MALI
Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI)
MALI resides in the impressive 19th century building of Palacio de la Exposición. The
historical landmark stands proudly: boasting an exhaustive collection of Peruvian art
starting from the pre-Columbian era. MALI depicts the evolution in Peruvian art, aiming to
illustrate the country's dynamic cultural past and how it continues to influence
contemporary art in Lima today. Also it very much acts as a cultural epicentre in the city,
equipped with a library and auditorium to accommodate for cinema, theatre and
conferences.
MALI, Paseo Colon 125, Lima, Peru
Galeria Patio del Liceo
This bohemian refuge in Buenos Aires is quite a discovery. Traversing through a
passageway - off Ave. Santa Fe - you will reach a courtyard and uncover a community of
artists as well as producers. It feels like a hidden world whereby all different kinds of artistic
practices happily co-exist in this three floor venue. There are hip bars, comic books and art
print shops along with various art galleries such as Fiebre, La Maga and La Ene. There are
also spaces for the studious types, such as Oficina De Arte Argentina, providing for the
study and production of aesthetics and visual arts.
Galeria Patio del Liceo, Av. Santa Fe 2729, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Parque Cultural de Valparaiso I © throgers/Flickr
Parque Cultural de Valparaiso
This space acts as a symbol of the cultural renaissance occurring in this port city. Formerly
a prison, the Parque Cultural de Valparaiso housed dissidents of Pinochet during his horrific
dictatorship yet now, it is a community site abuzz with cultural activity. For example,
Teatro del Parque hosts live music, dances and plays. The centre also regularly organises
art exhibitions throughout the year and a highlight this year is the international End of the
World Biennial 4, (IV Bienal del Fin del Mundo), which started in January in Salsa de Artes
Visuales.
Parque Cultural de Valparaíso, Cárcel 471, Valparaíso, Chile
Casa Triângulo
São Paulo has a thriving contemporary art scene with Casa Triângulo at its forefront since
its opening in the late 1980s. Casa Triângulo's legacy is significant, for it was one of the first
Brazilian galleries to invest in international art fairs. Over the years, the gallery has
participated at many prominent art shows including Art Basel Miami Beach, Frieze Art Fair
in London and ARCO in Madrid. Casa Triângulo actively seeks to nurture local artists,
encouraging them to be bold and experimental. The gallery's roster of artists is particularly
impressive: featuring São Paulo's Albano Afonso, Sandra Cinto and Spanish artist Guillermo
Mora.
Casa Triângulo, Rua Pais de Araújo, São Paulo, Brazil
By Patrick Norrie
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