Bus line 152 ended three blocks from my destination in La Boca.
I was the only one left on the bus, and the driver shouted back at me, “Terminada!” Okay then. Off the bus.
I immediately realized this was not a great part of town.
I was not super-worried, since it was noon and there were plenty of people around. I just held my bag a little closer to my body and speed-walked like a woman on a mission.
I was going to Fundacion Proa, a contemporary art museum I had read many great things about. The museum also happens to be located in La Boca, a barrio of Buenos Aires not especially known for its safety. Once I rounded the corner, I saw exactly where I was heading. The new, modern building with tourists mulling about made me relax.
A museum with a giant spider in front of the building has got to be good!
The exhibition was called Louise Bourgeois: The Return of the Repressed. It is a retrospective on the artist’s work.
According to the curator, this show is the “first in depth analysis on her relationship with psychoanalysis and art.” Sounds interesting!
For more information about this artist, check out Artsy’s Louise Bourgeois page.
I am not an art connoisseur or expert.
I enjoy looking at art, but I am most likely not going to figure out what the artist was trying to convey in a piece. This leads me to what I really liked about this exhibition. They had plenty of signage in every room explaining exactly what the work is about.
And the best part…. there is a great view from the rooftop terrace.
Tips
- If you are just visiting and don’t want to bother with learning how to take the bus, this is a short distance from San Telmo, Puerto Madero, and Microcentro, so you can take a taxi quite cheap.
- Entry is 10 pesos or free with a student ID on Wednesdays.
- This is right next to El Caminito. If that is on your agenda, save yourself time and see them both in the same afternoon.
This looks awesome! But I don’t know about all of the big spiders. Eek!
When they are not running towards you, not that scary
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
My parents used to take me through Hungary as a child from Museum to Museum. I remember saying if I ever see another one I would throw up! Now I love going, the peace just browsing around, and always wondering what in the world were they thinking when they made that?
eva
eva hamori recently posted..The Why question answered
I am very picky about museums. If I know it’s something I won’t be interested in, I don’t bother going.
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
What a cool museum! Those spider sculptures are fantastic!
Christina recently posted..Discovering Vancouver- Granville Island delights
I admit I am not a lover of contemporary and modern art. However, I actually enjoyed the photos you posted of this. I like the spider and the psychoanalysis part with art is an interesting idea!
Jeremy B recently posted..Celebrating Father’s Day! An interview with traveling dads
Glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was a pretty cool concept to explore as well.
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
Love the spider! Looks like a great museum – worth the trip
Andrea recently posted..Sometimes You Just Have to Splurge
Wow that spider and golden man look really cool. I might have to check this place out.
Rease recently posted..Merry misadventures en route to La Paz
I think this exhibit ends soon, so you better hurry. I will definitely go back to check out their next exhibit too.
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
Well, I am not 100% convinced that it can top the rock museum we saw in Colonia…but maybe I’ll check it out anyway. 😉
Jeff recently posted..Travel Tips- Bolivia Travel Guide
Nothing will ever top the rock museum. It was so good you had to go through it twice.
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
Looks like a great exhibition, I’m not a real art expert either, especially when it comes to such modern expressions, but I do enjoy it, and these pieces are very beautiful. I like your writing!
Angela recently posted..A trip- a photo – Street photography in Shanghai- parking in TianZiFang
Thank you. And I’m glad I’m not the only person who enjoys art without really understanding a lot of it
The Travel Chica recently posted..The Most Gluttonous Night of My Life… So Far
The spider on the rooftop is pretty impressive. The area doesn’t look to shady…so this is considered the hood in Argentina?
Grace recently posted..Wanderlust In Bohol Paradise
The photo is a little misleading. There is about a two block area that encompasses this museum and El Caminito (the tourist trap with the restaurants and bright buildings). Every step you take away from those two blocks it gets worse.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
That museum looks awesome! I love it when there are actual descriptions of the art and what different symbolism means. I’m definitely no art buff, so it’s nice to be ‘in the know’ with some of the meaning behind the art.
Danalynn recently posted..An Unusual Tour of Przemyśl- Poland
I like that I can tell people about it afterwards (like this post) and sound like I know what I’m talking about
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
I heart La Boca so so so much! I’ve gotta get to this museum!!!
I think this museum is so much better than MALBA. I would also highly recommend Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
makes me miss BA so much! glad you toughed it out in spite of being a little afraid of la boca. so worth it in my opinion!
Lorna – the roamantics recently posted..The Vancouver Riot- Thoughts and Photos
Love the pics – and also love the work of Bourgeois. Great museum, reminds me of Tate Modern
Graham GlobalGrasshopper recently posted..Top 10 cool and unusual hotels in San Francisco
I was really impressed by this one. So strange that it’s located in the middle of the ‘hood. But at least they have that great view of the port.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
I don’t care for art much, but these are cool pieces.
I tend to enjoy modern art and photography more because I think they are more interesting and creative.
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
Enjoyed the post and photos. Love art museums, but so don’t have to go there, unless I happen to be by BA. Always good to discover new artists like Louise Bourgeois.
John recently posted..Daily Photo- My favourite office- Chamonix Médiathèque
Forgot to ask. Did you come across Swiss Cow fighting while you were there. Looks like a fun sport to watch. (No cows are hurt!). The grand final is held in the Roman Amphitheater at Martigny.
John recently posted..Daily Photo- My favourite office- Chamonix Médiathèque
No clue what you are talking about, but I will Google it immediately!
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
Sorry, that was a comment for another post and another site. Don’t know how it ended up here. Possibly something to do with Page Back? ??
John recently posted..Daily Photo- Suleymaniye Mosque- Istanbul
I Googled it and thought you might be crazy
The Travel Chica recently posted..My Little Wine Experiment- Can You Tell the Difference
That giant spider thing looks creepy, am no art expert as well, but like you, i love to see the art and appreciate it. Thanks for the pictures. The outside view looks good, does not look like an unsafe place but still, would not like to visit it after the sun is down.
Travel Tamed recently posted..Top 6 Best Family Beaches in North Carolina