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Buenos Aires Art Scene

Buenos Aires Art Scene

By Hayley Ann Newnes

Known as the Latin-American Paris, Buenos Aires is loaded with culture… and where there’s culture, there’s always artists, with aerosols and brushes ready to paint their own portrayals of life and their surroundings.  Buenos Aires is no different; the city has more culture and art than you can shake a paintbrush at.  So much so that it is impossible to limit this vibrant city’s artwork to the confinements of galleries and museums, the art is literally overflowing on to Buenos Aires’ streets. 
 
The Brilliant Artists of Buenos Aires
 
Buenos Aires has been the home to some of the most influential artists within the modern art scene.  From the interactive art of Marta Minujin, to the “painterly” style of street artist, Nicolás Romero, the city has become a South-American playground for creative spirits from all backgrounds and fields.
 
Marta Minujin is one of the many modern artists that have originated from Buenos Aires and embraces the city and its citizens as part of their artwork.  Minujin prides herself on making those who view her designs to become part of it.  Her artworks and “Happenings” - which are events as works of arts in themselves - portray the current affairs that the artist feels strongly about.  Minujin’s “Parthenon of Books”, was constructed of books that were banned in Argentina, which were eventually given out to pedestrians in the centre of Buenos Aires during its dismantlement.
 
Nicolás Romero, also known by his street name “Ever”, has been painting the streets of Buenos Aires since the 1990’s.  He became inspired by the potential that he envisioned streets and alleyways to hold for projecting concepts and colour into the everyday lives for those who wander the streets of Argentina’s capital.  His works of art have become famous for his portraits of his brother, ex-lovers and anonymous faces that he finds on the internet or in public.  Romero’s art are pieces of work that you’d expect to find hanging in an art gallery instead of decorating the streets of Buenos Aires.
 
Museums
 
As a cultural hotbed, Buenos Aires boasts an impressive collection of museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA); Benzacar Art Gallery; and Braga Menéndez Gallery, each providing its visitors a unique palette of Argentine and International artist.
 
The MNBA sees over one million visitors coming through its doors each year to critique the collection of international artworks and Argentine art dating back to the 19th century, including international artists who saw Argentina as the adopted home for their artistic lifestyle.
 
The Braga Menéndez Gallery consists of artworks from over 30 artists and portrays some of the best pieces of contemporary art to come out of the country.  Each year the gallery hosts several exhibitions, including many international collaborations, ensuring there will sure to be something new to see in this gallery, whether you’re a first-time visitor or on first-name basis with most of the staff of the gallery. 
 
With such a selection of museums and galleries providing international artwork to the country - as well as strong commitments to introducing emerging Argentine artists to the world – Buenos Aires has plenty to offer its international visitors.  However, if you’re seeking something more edgy and urbanised, you’d be wise to leave the confinements of the galleries behind you, and embrace the artistic freedom of Buenos Aires’s streets.

Street Art
 
The torrent of urban artwork within the city has made the streets of Buenos Aires an absolute delight to explore, as you’ll never be sure what urban gallery you’ll stumble into when you turn a corner.  One moment you can be admiring the contrast between Pum Pum’s colourful 2D latex-painted cartoons, and Nerf’s dark aerosol-painted 3D cubes - in one of their many collaborative pieces - and the next you can be standing in awe at Baxter, Tekaz and Emy Mariani’s mural, influenced by the recent fires that have been devastating Argentina’s landscape.
 
With so much to see in such a large city, many admirers of the street art have taken to two wheels to help them get around the city at a faster pace.  The city’s community has really embraced the urban art scene.  By setting up many businesses that specialise in tours of the street art, you are provided with the choice of either going on a self-guided tour – involving heading out with just a map and a camera before meeting up with others to compare stories and photos - or the very popular choice of going out on an expert-guided tour - led by a local expert who are as familiar with the streets and its artwork as they are with the back of their hands- to ensure you don’t miss any hidden gems.

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