three new spaces they thrive in the middle of nature near Punta del Este. MACA, Atchugarry Museum of Contemporary Art in springs, “Ta Khut Skyspace” Y House Neptune in Jose Ignacio, together with the already established Space Photo Art, offer an auspicious beginning of the year dedicated to visual arts.
The MACA was born from the will of the Uruguayan sculptor, collector and cultural promoter Paul Atchugarry. In a way, it is a continuation of the Pablo Atchugarry Foundation created in 2007, an exhibition space and an amphitheater that hosts plays, dances and concerts. In the same 40-hectare estate there is also his tribute to Michelangelo, “La Piedad Chapel”, and his workshop surrounded by a Sculpture Park with works by 70 artists from around the world.
The magnificent museum It was designed in the shape of a ship with undulations, like the surrounding landscape, by the award-winning Uruguayan architect Charles Ott. They are two connected buildings of more than 5,000 m2 that interact with the pre-existing ones. It has four exhibition halls, a movie theater, a shop and a cafeteria. The ship arrived safely. MACA was inaugurated a few days ago by President Luis Lacalle Pou, along with former presidents Jose Mujica and Julio Maria Sanguinetti; with live music from Toquinho and more. MACA is part of the “cultural heritage” that Atchugarry will leave to Uruguayans in the belief that “Art fulfills a social function and it is important that the work is at the service of the community…”.
The museum directed by Leonardo Noguéz opened its doors with two exhibitions: “Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Uruguay” and “Encapsulated Graph” of Leon Ferrari. Another room displays international works of art from the Atchugarry Collection -Torres García, Stella, Le Parc, Fonseca, Lam- and pieces donated by former president Sanguinetti and the fourth exhibits sculptures by the consecrated Atchugarry.
A partner in art and in life, the influential Christo and Jeanne-Claude were artists of “environmental art”. They created impressions and visions to treasure. They made monumental and ephemeral installations and interventions in nature and the urban landscape. They recycled the material with which they “wrapped” objects, buildings, natural pieces to which they devoted their attention. With their actions they modified not only the environment but also the legion of filmmakers and observers who perceived the disappearance of the usual and the appearance of the extraordinary, such as “Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980-83” that he surrounded with pink fiber 11 islets. When the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was wrapped in a silver-grey blue fabric in 2021, it radiated unexpected brilliance, due to the reflections of the city lights, the sun and the moon.
Curator Lorenza Giovanelli presents for the first time in the region a set of 53 pieces that survive mostly through photos, drawings, collages and sculptures (the first objects that were “wrapped”). They come from the collection of the family of the deceased artists and from private collections, such as that of the Argentine Jorge Helft, a member of the Board of Directors of the brand new museum. With free admission to all activities, including movies and music. On Route 104, Km 4.5, Springs.
The new spaces
“Ta Khut Skyspace” It is a work of artificial and natural light in the park of the Posada Ayana of the Austrians Robert and Edda Kofler, a few steps from Playa Mansa in José Ignacio. Shaped like a pyramid embedded in the ground and lined with grass, it culminates in an imposing marble dome that has an opening of 9.44 cm. diameter. “The light” in ancient Egyptian, “Ta Khut” is a permanent immersive installation by the North American james turrell, one of the most transcendental artists of light and space. Viewpoint open to the sky, it reflects different glare depending on the time you look up and depending on the rotation of the interior lights designed by the artist. It is an infinite painting that offers vibrant luminosity by day and views of the Milky Way at night, colored from within by artificial lights. Open to the public, with admission.
Very close, also almost at the entrance of what used to be a fishing village, is House Neptune assembled with the small forest that surrounds it. Designed by the artist Edgardo Gimenez, this “sculpture” of 139 m2 is the headquarters of “Ama Amoedo Artistic Residence Foundation” (FAARA), created by the artist and collector Amalia Amoedo. An international jury chooses the Latin American artists who work there for six weeks together with nature, researching, creating and receiving grants to make their works concrete.
In the midst of abundant vegetation, Espacio Foto Arte is the brainchild of architect Carolina Pedroni and photographer Roberto Riverti, with a program of contemporary photography exhibitions. Now, they present Gabriel Valansi who makes use of his technical versatility to dare to critically investigate violence as an object of contemporary contemplative fascination”; then Nicola Costantino. On Calle 6 and Route 10 Altos de Punta Piedras.
Image gallery
