One of the best places to explore the latest trends and innovations in contemporary art. Welcome to MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. Located in the heart of the vibrant, and cultural Raval district. MACBA offers a rich and diverse program of exhibitions, activities and educational visits that will challenge your perception and stimulate your curiosity.
In this review, we will review what you can expect to see and do at MACBA in 2023 and 2024.
Current Exhibitions at the MACBA Barcelona
As of June 2023, MACBA is hosting four major exhibitions that showcase the work of local and international artists from different disciplines and backgrounds. Here are some highlights:
- Laura Lima: Balé Literal (18 May – 25 September 2023). A solo exhibition by the Brazilian artist Laura Lima. The artist creates immersive installations that blur the boundaries between art and life, inviting the visitors to participate in unexpected situations and encounters. In this exhibition, you can experience a ballet performance without dancers, a living sculpture made of hair, and a room full of clothes that seem to have a life of their own.
- Corpus Infinitum (28 April – 25 September 2023). A group exhibition that explores the relationship between the human body and technology, questioning the notions of identity, agency and autonomy in the digital age. The exhibition features works by artists such as Hito Steyerl, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Eduardo Kac, and Martine Syms, among others.
- MACBA Collection: Prelude Poetic Intention (14 December 2022 – Mid 2024). A selection of works from the MACBA Collection that reflect on the role of poetry in contemporary art. These works highlights the expressive, critical and transformative potential of language. The exhibition includes works by Joan Brossa, Marcel Broodthaers, Ulises Carrión, and Dora García, among others.
- Josep Grau-Garriga: Dialogue with Light (28 November 2022 – 11 September 2023). A retrospective exhibition dedicated to the Catalan artist Josep Grau-Garriga, who revolutionized the field of tapestry with his innovative use of materials, techniques and forms. The exhibition presents his artistic evolution from his early figurative works to his abstract compositions. Many of his works are inspired by nature, politics and spirituality.
Upcoming Exhibitions at the MACBA Barcelona
If you are planning to visit MACBA in the near future, you can also look forward to these exciting upcoming exhibitions that will open soon:
- Nancy Holt / Inside Outside (13 July 2023 – 7 January 2024). A solo exhibition by the American artist Nancy Holt. She is best known for her monumental land art projects such as Sun Tunnels and Dark Star Park. The exhibition will focus on her lesser-known works that explore the concepts of perception, time and space through photography, film, video and installation.
- Lydia Ourahmane (October 2023 – February 2024). A solo exhibition by the Algerian artist Lydia Ourahmane. This artist uses sound, sculpture, performance and archival research to address issues of migration, displacement and belonging. The exhibition will feature new and existing works that reflect on her personal and collective history in relation to the Mediterranean region.
- Daniel Steegmann Mangrané (27 October 2023 – 20 May 2024). A solo exhibition by the Spanish-born Brazilian artist Daniel Steegmann Mangrané. He creates immersive environments that combine natural and artificial elements, challenging the conventional distinctions between reality and fiction. The exhibition will present a selection of his works that explore the notions of ecology, animism and transformation.
- Revista Visual (February 2024. A group exhibition that celebrates the legacy of Revista Visual, a pioneering magazine that was published in Barcelona between 1980 and 1985. The magazine was a platform for critical reflection and creative experimentation on visual culture. It features contributions by artists such as Antoni Muntadas, Francesc Torres, Eugènia Balcells, and Pere Portabella.
Activities and Educational Visits
Besides visiting the exhibitions, there are a variety of activities and educational visits that will enrich your experience at MACBA. Here are some examples:
- Dissabtes MACBA. Every Saturday starting at 4 p.m., you can visit all the exhibitions for free and get a closer look at them. These are guided by the artists themselves or by MACBA mediators. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the artistic processes and concepts behind the works on display.
- L’Internationale Online. A common platform for research, debate and communication that connects MACBA with five other museums across Europe. Moderna Galerija (Ljubljana), Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven), M HKA (Antwerp), SALT (Istanbul and Ankara) and Reina Sofía (Madrid). The platform offers online publications, podcasts, videos and projects that address the current challenges and opportunities of contemporary art and culture.
- New reading and family space. A cozy and welcoming space for the exhibition MACBA Collection. Prelude Poetic Intention, where you can relax, read, play and share a moment with those around you. The space offers books, magazines, games and activities for children and adults. It also includes a selection of poems by the artists featured in the exhibition.
- Group and Educational Centres visits. If you are visiting MACBA with a group or an educational centre, you can book a guided tour or a workshop tailored to your needs and interests. You can choose from different themes and formats, such as Laura Lima: Balé Literal guided by pli-é collective, Bouchra Khalili: Between Circles and Constellations guided by the artist herself, or Ayuujkjä’äy ëy Konk. A fable based on a Mixe myth guided by the MACBA Learning Program.
Practical Information When Visiting MACBA Barcelona
MACBA is open from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays).
The admission fee is €10.20 for adults, €6 for students, pensioners and unemployed people. Group prices are €9.60 for groups of 10 or more people. You can also buy an ARTICKET for €38, which gives you access to six museums in Barcelona. MACBA, CCCB, Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Fundació Joan Miró, Museu Picasso and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.
You can reach MACBA by metro (L1 and L2 Universitat station or L3 Liceu station), bus (24, 41, 55, 64, 91, 120, H12 or V13) or bike (there are several Bicing stations nearby). There is also a public parking lot under the Plaça dels Àngels.
For more information, you can visit the official website of MACBA at https://www.macba.cat/en or follow them on social media (@macba_barcelona).
