Buenos Aires is for Art Lovers

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). Read the full disclosure policy here.

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.

 

art fair

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.

 

arteBA Buenos Aires

arteBA Buenos Aires

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.

 

Marta Minujin

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.

 

arteBA Buenos Aires

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.

 

 

Join the Conversation

  1. 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!

  2. It’s very cool that BA is so encouraging of its arts community. I know a lot of cities that could take a lesson…

  3. What a curious little thing that is in the 2nd photo. 🙂

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Weird eh?

  4. Interesting, it reminded me of The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Romania 🙂

  5. adventureswithben says:

    The art in these photos look more fun than “traditional art”. I love the plant with teeth.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I know the weirdness intrigued me.

  6. The Travel Chica says:

    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.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Well behaved children in South America is a novelty.

  7. I love it about Buenos SAires people that they love art!

  8. Bluegreen Kirk says:

    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.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      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!

  9. 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.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I am not a fan of fine art but Buenos Aires is much more into modern art without getting too weird.

  10. Harry Hilders says:

    Looks fun!

  11. big boys oven says:

    sounds like a fabulous to be 🙂

  12. 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. 🙂

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Here they really value art and it’s at the heart of the culture.

  13. There was a huge Marta Minujín exibit at Malba a few months ago. It was really impressive.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      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.

  14. Jeremy Branham says:

    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!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Interesting that you like fine art better, they have it here as well but I haven’t gone to see any of it.

  15. A Kiwi in Chile says:

    I absolutely love that alien mouth centre piece in that third photo. It’s so cool.
    (Reminds me of an ex…
    …kidding!)

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Oh believe me I would say a lot worse about some of my exes!

  16. kara rane says:

    Ayngelina~
    Love this.. i believe art is for all people 2 ❤

  17. jamie - cloud people adventures says:

    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.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I love stencil art as well, I am going to see Hollywood in Cambodia later this week!

  18. LORENA : TRAVEL DESIGNERY says:

    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!

  19. 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.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I’m not much of a fine arts fan either, I love how art is so accessible for everyone here.

  20. Everyone should have the opportunity to be exposed to things like this..that is way I enjoyed the ROM so much.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      The ROM really is great, here it is like the entire city is the ROM.

  21. Nicolás Tasiounis says:

    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!

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Yes I missed the last Gallery night, do you know when the next one is? I am hoping this Friday..

      1. Nicolás Tasiounis says:

        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.

  22. Vago Damitio says:

    What a great photo. You capture youth and innocence and energy in it. I love it. Thanks. ~vago

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Thanks Vago, it was so great to see people of all ages at this event.

  23. What a cool exhibit! The art community is just one of many things that I love about BsAs!

  24. It looks fabulous. I love a town, community, city that embraces art to the fullest. 🙂

  25. Mmmmmm, I love artsy cities. 🙂

  26. 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.

  27. Leslie (Downtown Traveler) says:

    Cool! Reminds me of the Armory Show here in NYC. Love seeing so much innovative art in one place 🙂

  28. 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.

  29. Interesting, it reminded me of The Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest, Romania ?and some like this in Copenhagen

Comments are closed.

Close
© Copyright 2021. Bacon Is Magic. All rights reserved
Close