Art Galleries Museums and Galleries Museums The superb modernist structure on the banks of the Rio Guadalmina on the edge of the historic old town is now the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo. Opened in 2003, it added, along with the Picasso Museum opened the same year an important capacity to the cultural offering of Malaga. Originally built as a wholesale market in 1927, the old function of the building can be clearly seen in its structure. Inside, its as though it was always meant to be a contemporary art gallery. It has a high concrete ceiling and it offers vast open spaces between sparse columns, perfect to mount an exhibition of almost any size and form. This gallery plays host to all the major touring international contemporary art shows. It focusses partly Spanish and Latin American contemporary artists such as Miquel Barcelo, Sorolla, Santiago Sierra and Fernando Sanchez Castillo but also recieves work from all major European and international artists. Tracey Emin, Robert Mapplethorpe, Gilbert and George, Obey, the Chapman Brothers, Rachel Whiteread, Anish Kapoor, and many more artists at the centre of vanguard modern art have passed through. In any one year there are at least nine full exhibitions, and a small permanent exhibition rotates exhibits from the archive. Furhtermore, this kaleidascope of ever changing art is entirely free to the public. The museum is now the flagship of the recently declared Soho de Malaga, Barrio de los Artes. The entire block bordered by the river, the port and the Alameda has been rebranded and now features arts cafes' markets, small commercial galleries, restaurants and performing arts spaces.

It is immensely popular, and Málaga is really fortunate to have such a dynamic and inspiring art gallery. The fact that it is free admission seems almost too good to be true. But it's a fact.
Tuesday to Sunday 1000 - 2000 hours, admission free.

Contact

• Click for Phone Number 952 120055