Barcelona's World Press Photo exhibit is one of the the MACBA's (Contemporary Art Museum) most popular displays. Each year, for just over a month, the world's greatest photographers–as well as some up-and-coming photo-lovers–have their works displayed.
This exhibit is one of the best ways to see the news and world in pictures. Even if you're not into art or photography, if you're interested in seeing life through the lens of others, this is a fantastic experience.
This year's winning photo was taken by Paul Hansen of the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter. The picture depicts a group of men carrying the bodies of two dead children through a street in Gaza City. They're being taken to the Mosque for burial while their father's body is being carried behind them on a stretcher. Their mother was put into intensive care.
This is just one of the emotionally charged photos, with a sad story to accompany it, found in the 2013 exhibit. Others include a mother and daughter burned and disfigured from acid being poured on them, while another depicts the real life images of prostitutes in the favelas in Brazil.
World Press Photo 2013 — Photo courtesy of World Press Photo 2013
In addition to the more raw footage and daily news images, there is also a host of other pictures including sporting events, wildlife and various other topics.
The World Press Photo 2013 features 5,666 photographers from 124 countries with a total of 103,481 pictures. In the exhibit, there is a mix of multimedia outlets including computers, where you can see thousands of pictures that aren't on the walls, as well as a small movie area where you can watch short videos on some of the photographers and their photos.
Located in the MACBA, in the Raval neighborhood, the World Press Photo 2013 is running until December 8th and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. Tickets are 6 Euros, but if you come Sunday after 3 pm, entrance is free. Be sure to get there early though as the lines can be quite long. For those with press passes, entrance is free the entire time.
The MACBA has various exhibits all year round, and together with the nearby CCCB (Contemporary Cultural Center), the two of them are active in promoting contemporary artists and cultural icons including a mix of more famous and less well-known people. After you're finished at the museum, check out some of the local bars and restaurants right outside and around the corner.
