It's a one-of-a-kind Barcelona exhibit meant to explore the spaces that define our existence.
The idea behind MACBA's Species of Spaces exhibit is that, in order to truly understand our world, we should draw not only from temporal reality, but spatial reality, too.
Life is more than just who we are and what we want to become, but it's also about delving into the spaces where we live and interact on a daily basis.
"Species of Spaces" exhibit at MACBA — Photo courtesy of MACBA
Located in the trendy and less touristy Raval neighborhood, the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (often called "MACBA") has always been known for its avant-garde, innovative and envelope-pushing displays.
This particular exhibit features a selection of works specifically highlighted for the ways in which they're able to relate to how we behave and live in a variety of different spaces. These include areas like our bedrooms, kitchen, living room, backyard, office place and others that signify where we spend a large amount of our time.
Georges Perec's book by the same name – Species of Spaces – lays the framework for the exhibit in that he shows us the way into the spaces we want to enter by posing questions that might have a different meaning for everyone.
Featuring a selection of works with the capacity to refer to how we exist, act and move, the book aims to bring us closer to the meaning these particular spaces might have for each of us on an individual level.
For this exhibit, two large museum galleries have been transformed into 13 spaces, specially designed according to the different chapters in Perec’s book. The exhibition brings together almost 50 works by 40 artists and includes site-specific productions, as well as works from private and public collections and from the MACBA's own collection.
The Species of Spaces exhibit opened on July 16 and will run until Jan. 31, 2016.
The MACBA is a small and edgy museum in the heart of the Raval. Surrounded by a variety of small and unassuming restaurants, it's a nice place to spend some time browsing the stores, having a drink on a terrace and having a look at the amazing art on offer.
Rambla del Raval is a particularly great street to stroll down; it's a beautiful walkway with bars, restaurants and a few new hamburger joints, which are "all the rage" right now in Barcelona.
And if you feel like seeing another museum in the neighborhood, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is right around the corner.
