Museo de Arte Contemporáneo of BARRANCO, Lima, Peru Review – Intriguing Curator Decisions

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo in the Barranco section of Lima Peru caters to locals interested in modern art, giving tourists a view of local tastes

It’s not uncommon for most –and especially non-artists--to go to a contemporary art museum—anywhere in the world—and have a mixed reaction of Huh? vs. WOW! You can add Barranco’s Museo de Arte Contemporáneo to that list.

Yet, for a foreign tourist trying to get a grasp of Peruvian culture and the hearts and minds of the people we are mixing with in hip and artsy Barranco, this is a required tour stop.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo is NOT focused on foreigners or tourism.

Barranco Lima PERU
From the ATOPIA exhibit

Though it includes Peruvian artists, it actually is a place where locals interested in modern art (1950’s+) can go to glimpse the art scene from around the world. Perhaps there is more of a focus on Latin American art, which might be chronically underrepresented in the States. At the time of our visit, a special exhibit of Uruguayan art had top bill. With films, activities for children and more—this museo has a community focus.

What strikes most is that the themes in this museum are so like those back home. Here as elsewhere, the fragility of the planet and our species’ destruction of nature had a place. Also, touring during the time when sexual harassment was taking center stage back home, we found an exhibit showcasing little known women from around the world who made a mark. To this writer, some of the facts referenced in the black and white playing cards photos of these women were….perhaps needing a bit more research.

Focus on Immigrants Losing Their Home

It also was no surprise that immigration and the alienation of those uprooted from home was also an exhibit focus.

Barranco Lima PERU
Artist- Brad Kahlhamer

But for Americans who mainly associate Rapid City with the big motorcycle rally, the display of works by a Native American artist of South Dakota who has been uprooted to New York City was the stuff of eye-blinks. These are fun sculptural works that have unique personalities, making each one interesting, and with an eye for detail that you might not appreciate if you cruise by this collection too quickly. The creativity of Brad Kahlhamer’s work was apparent. Backtracking, how interesting that the people of Barranco though are getting a better glimpse of uprooted Native American realities than most people in the US get!

Barranco Lima PERU
Each of the pieces in this large room exhibit of artist Brad Kahlhamer’s work has distinct personality

If you are time-strapped, this writer would rank Barranco’s Museo de Arte Contemporáneo as the least important one to take in. If you have a day to devote to Barranco museums—perhaps with a break for ceviche and a pisco sour—getting the three-museum ticket and including this in your tour is recommended.

Barranco Lima PERU
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo of BARRANCO, Lima, Peru

When:

Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays.

MAC Lima is closed on the following holidays: Labor Day (May 1), Thursday and Friday of Easter Week, Christmas (December 24-25) and New Year’s (December 31 and January 1).

Where:

Museo de Arte
Contemporáneo - Lima
Av. Grau 1511
Barranco, L04, Perú

Tickets:

Prices are in Soles (Peruvian currency)

The admission price includes a guided tour.

Tuesday through Saturday
General: S/.10
Students: S/.6
Reduced: S/. 4 (children and seniors over age 65)

Triple ticket MAC-MATE-Museo de Osma            S/. 32.00

For more information visit the MAC website.

Read about the part of Lima where MAC is -- Barranco Launch of Peru Tour –Charming Corner of Lima

Read more Low Season Travel: Peru Tour stories.

Click here for more Picture this Post travel stories by Amy Munice with photography by Peter Kachergis.

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