The Museum of Modern Art or MAMM

Description

When one goes to the MAMM (Museum of Modern Art, Medellin) one can appreciate the architecture from outside which is different to any museum. This is because it was an old train station before and as you enter the building it will become more evident. The MAMM is a small museum and it is made up of three or four rooms, one shop of artistic souvenirs (expensive) and an area on the art of teaching.

When did I go? How much did it cost?

When I went the ticket to enter cost me 8, 000 COP (around $5 USD), a fairly reasonable and fair price. In Colombia social classes are identified with "stratum's" and the lower stratum's (1, 2, 3) receive benefits, so they enter the museum for free.

When to go?

Also, you can go any day of the week, except on Mondays, however, when Monday is a holiday it is open (it is nearly always a holiday in Colombia).

What kind of work do they exhibit?

The museum has three or four rooms which they centre on Debora Arango and Hernando Tejada. There is not only artistic paintings, there is also photos and sculptures. If you want to appreciate the Colombian culture this museum is recommendable, since the art by Debora Arango shows a type of art that shows sensitive social themes surrounding Colombia. Some photos show the most critical times of the country, when the narco trafficking impacted the population of Pablo Escobar in an important way.

There is a room that specifically has temporal exhibitions. In the summer of 2013 the exhibition was titled "Art in Silver" by Alexandra Agudelo, which ended up being one of my favourite parts. You could look at dinner plates and other things of common use made in silver, with a spectacular shine, touches of shell and gold. Very dazzling to look at.

What was good about it?

The museum is small and this allows you to look at all of the paintings at your leisure. It is very clean and the entrance to the museum is cheap. There are some pretty restaurants nearby in which you can eat. The information in the didactic area is very informative.

What was bad about it?

Although the small size of the museum allowed you to wander round quickly, this made the exhibition of work limited. There is not loads of pieces of art to observe and the souvenirs in the shop are quite expensive. The didactic area of the museum that was made up of electronic books, iPads and games didn't work very well during my visit, although I have to admit that it was very well done and it was very informative.

Would you go back?

I don't think so, no, since it is one of those museums where one visit is enough. Although it is beautiful, it is small and it is not so thorough. If your aim is to get to know Medellin I would search for more culturally significant places and use the Museum MAMM as a secondary option if you have more time and money.