by Ana O'Reilly

Created on: January 20, 2010   Last Updated: January 21, 2010

In 1970, Argentinean industrialist Eduardo Constantini bought two works of art by Latin American artists, and the rest, as they say, is history. His goal was to create a collection that would help promote Latin American cultural values and artists in Argentina and around the world.

In 1996, his collection was exhibited for the first time at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires and, later, in Uruguay, Brazil and Spain.

In 1998, the Constantini Foundation acquired a plot of land ideally located in the heart of Buenos Aires and organized a worldwide building design competition under terms drawn up by the International Union of Architects. 450 projects were submitted from 45 different countries. The international jury selected a design by three young, local architects.

The museum’s permanent collection comprises works of art by such renowned Latin American artists as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Antonio Berni, Wilfredo Lam, Emilio Pettoruti, Trasila do Amaral, Pedro Figari, just to name a few, and spans the twentieth century and beyond. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, drawings, and collages.

MALBA also promotes Latin American literature by means of lectures, courses and the annual Literature Festival of Buenos Aires.

Among the activities that children can enjoy are special guided visits, workshops and art labs, especially during the summer holidays. Guided visits can be arranged for schools.

The museum also offers temporary exhibitions like the current one of Andy Warhol’s works, as well as courses and conferences. Visitors can join the Association of Friends of the Museum for an annual fee and enjoy benefits like discounts or special guided tours.

MALBA.cine is devoted to promoting young filmmakers and showing the work of established Latin American and international filmmakers too. There are about five screenings every day.  

The museum’s souvenir shop, Tiendamalba, carries the kind of merchandise that is usual in museum shops: prints, Moleskin notebooks, pens, postcards, as well as art objects and decoration and art books.

The museum is open Thursdays to Mondays from noon to 8 pm; Wednesdays, until 9 pm and is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is AR$ 18 (around U$ 6) for adults, AR$ 9 for teachers, senior citizens and students, and is free for children under 5.

The museum’s collection, with works by artists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela, offers a great opportunity to know more about the region’s art and, through it, some of its history.

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