MADRID, SPAIN. At the beginning, there was the Prado. Then came the Reina Sofía, then the Thyssen. Now, Madrid’s Paseo del Arte has a new artistic attraction: the CaixaForum. Operated by the bank La Caixa, the CaixaForum is a cultural centre whose primary focus are temporary art exhibitions from all over the world. If you have been to Barcelona or Palma de Mallorca, the name “CaixaForum” might sound familiar to you – there are two centres of the same name in those very cities. The Madrid version opened in 2008, attracting visitors not only for its exhibitions, but also because of its eye-catching architecture.
HISTORY
The CaixaForum is housed inside what used to be an electric power station. In the heart of the Spanish capital, this power station used to provide the necessary energy to illuminate many of Madrid’s bars, cafés, theatres, and more. In 2001, it was bought by La Caixa, which then brought on board none other than the famous Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron to bring it back to life as the CaixaForum.
ARCHITECTURE: EXTERIOR
Herzog & De Meuron maintained the upper part of the industrial facade, drilling away at the lower half. The result is spectacular: a building that looms over itself without the help of pillars. The brick is floating, thanks to an (almost invisible) central supporting system. Instead, there are several fountains and waterfalls that glow in orange and brown tones.
VERTICAL GARDEN
As if the hanging building weren’t enough to cause a splash, the architects added a hanging garden. At the beginning, there were problems with the irrigation, but now that has been solved, it’s as green (as it can be in hot Spain). Admire it from afar and from up close; you might be inspired to create a similar vertical jungle on your own wall.
ARCHITECTURE: INTERIOR
On the interior, you’ll find a metallic staircase reminiscent of Oporto’s Opera House. Tubes and other metallic shapes decorate the open ceiling; it’s as if you were in a warehouse. And all the other exhibition spaces are accessed via a white-washed main staircase that will call to mind the Guggenheim Museum of New York.
ART
Check out the official website for current exhibitions. Highlights have included works by Dalí, Piranesi, William Blake and more.
CAIXAFORUM MADRID
Paseo del Prado 36
28014 Madrid
Tel. +34 913 30 73 00
Metro: Atocha.
Mon-Sun.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Dec. 25, Jan 1, 6.
On Dec. 24, 31: closes at 6 p.m.
[soliloquy id=”10576″]
MADRID, SPAIN. At the beginning, there was the Prado. Then came the Reina Sofía, then the Thyssen. Now, Madrid’s Paseo del Arte has a new artistic attraction: the CaixaForum. Operated by the bank La Caixa, the CaixaForum is a cultural centre whose primary focus are temporary art exhibitions from all over the world. If you have been to Barcelona or Palma de Mallorca, the name “CaixaForum” might sound familiar to you – there are two centres of the same name in those very cities. The Madrid version opened in 2008, attracting visitors not only for its exhibitions, but also because of its eye-catching architecture.
HISTORY
The CaixaForum is housed inside what used to be an electric power station. In the heart of the Spanish capital, this power station used to provide the necessary energy to illuminate many of Madrid’s bars, cafés, theatres, and more. In 2001, it was bought by La Caixa, which then brought on board none other than the famous Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron to bring it back to life as the CaixaForum.
ARCHITECTURE: EXTERIOR
Herzog & De Meuron maintained the upper part of the industrial facade, drilling away at the lower half. The result is spectacular: a building that looms over itself without the help of pillars. The brick is floating, thanks to an (almost invisible) central supporting system. Instead, there are several fountains and waterfalls that glow in orange and brown tones.
VERTICAL GARDEN
As if the hanging building weren’t enough to cause a splash, the architects added a hanging garden. At the beginning, there were problems with the irrigation, but now that has been solved, it’s as green (as it can be in hot Spain). Admire it from afar and from up close; you might be inspired to create a similar vertical jungle on your own wall.
ARCHITECTURE: INTERIOR
On the interior, you’ll find a metallic staircase reminiscent of Oporto’s Opera House. Tubes and other metallic shapes decorate the open ceiling; it’s as if you were in a warehouse. And all the other exhibition spaces are accessed via a white-washed main staircase that will call to mind the Guggenheim Museum of New York.
ART
Check out the official website for current exhibitions. Highlights have included works by Dalí, Piranesi, William Blake and more.
CAIXAFORUM MADRID
Paseo del Prado 36
28014 Madrid
Tel. +34 913 30 73 00
Metro: Atocha.
Mon-Sun.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Closed Dec. 25, Jan 1, 6.
On Dec. 24, 31: closes at 6 p.m.