Buenos Aires Landmarks for Design Lovers
Architecturally speaking, Buenos Aires has some fascinating buildings from the Parisian-style Avenida de Mayo to the historic barrios, where you’ll find Spanish and Italian design throughout – a representation of the past immigrants.
Rainy days ahead? Never fear, this is one of the best cities to be in on a day when you need museums to hop around to. For those sunny days, Buenos Aires has plenty of outdoor spectacles to feast your creative eyes on.
The MALBA Museum is three stories of fantastic.
Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
Each season the MALBA presents a temporary exhibit of Latin American and international artists that complement the permanent collection. During our visit the work of artist Pablo Suárez Narciso, the icon of the Art of Transgression. His works are particularly impressive because of the range – sculpture, painting, all with a touch of humor and promiscuity. The works show life in an erotic and sexually dissident way, and and communicates cross culturally to us American visitors.
Another favorite were the interactive works of Julio le Parc, an artist out of Mendoza that dazzled us completely in a mathematical, tinkering toy way. He’s officially our new and long term favorite artist to follow.
There are three stories for you to peruse, each one laid out with enough white space to consider each piece as it’s own. And, I was pleased to find that the permanent collection, sometimes something of a bore, only occupies a small part of the second floor. It’s limited size means you’ll always find something fresh and contemporary at the MALBA.
Have a bite in-museum café NININA, where you’ll get a free mini shortbread with a coffee.
National Museum of Decorative Art
Two members of Argentine high-society married in 1897, then decided to build this massive mansion for their future retirement needs. The neoclassical structure was completed in 1916, and for the next two years the couple decorated the place with antiques and other objets d’art. The husband died in 1935, and the widow bequeathed the mansion to the government – thereby creating the National Museum of Decorative Arts.
Today, the museum maintains over 4,000 objects as a permanent collection, complemented by temporary exhibits. We highly suggest stopping for a coffee and tea at the Café Croque Madame outside – they served us the best butter biscuit and scone we had in Buenos Aires.
Floralis Genérica
The Floralis Genérica is the Chicago Cloud Gate of South America. This is no generic flower, much shinier and larger than its natural inspiration. Worth a visit rain or shine. My only complaint is you can’t get super close because it’s surrounded by a small lake of water. With the bean in Chicago you can walk right up and touch it, playing with your self-reflection.
Museo Sívori
The Eduardo Sívori Plastic Arts Museum houses a ridiculously awesome collection of 20th and 21st century Argentine art, both temporary and contemporary. Museo Sivori is a true hidden gem in the middle of Buenos Aires’ green lungs, and worth a visit after you saunter through the nearby rose gardens.
Planetario Galileo Galilei
The exterior of the Planetarium is the most photogenic side of the planetarium, you’ll find online that it lights up best at night.
What we found most interesting during our daytime visit was this rock – half a meteor over 4,000 years old, who’s other half sits in the Smithsonian. You’ll find other moon rocks and astrological easter eggs around the base of the circular planetarium.
Take a tour inside if you want to really reach your inner astro-geek star-gazing self, but be prepared for a timed queue to get in.