We posted recently about our fun lunch in the café at Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, and we promised to tell you a little more about the institution itself. Why don't we let them speak in their own words?
The Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid (CBA) is a private, not-for-profit cultural institution. Ever since it was set up in 1880, it has played a major role of international scope in the field of cultural creation and diffusion.
The Círculo de Bellas Artes is a major multidisciplinary centre with one of the most active cultural programmes in Madrid. It has exhibition rooms, a cinema, a theatre, concert halls, lecture halls, artists’ workshops, a library, a cafeteria, a shop and many other facilities. Every day it puts on activities to do with the visual arts, music, film, the stage, literature, science, philosophy and poetry.
The building which houses the Círculo de Bellas Artes was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios and constructed in 1926. It is an emblematic building and from its rooftop you can enjoy some of the best views of Spain’s capital city.
The young designers exhibit featured a small number of pieces of varying nature and quality. Generally speaking, the graphic designs impressed the most.
The comic strip making exhibit, again of modest size, was of high quality and emphasized the active political role taken by these artists in producing art which provides critical commentary on current events. It was interesting, later in our trip at the Reina Sofia Museum, to find ourselves looking at illustrated propaganda from the period of the Spanish Civil War and to realize the continuum that this art form has maintained.
The star feature of the building is certainly its huge rooftop terrace. In fact it was pictures like this first one that led us to the CBA in the first place, thinking we would be able to enjoy an evening cocktail high above the city. Alas, the space is only used in the evenings for special events so unless you are on someone's guest list you must visit during the day.
The Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid (CBA) is a private, not-for-profit cultural institution. Ever since it was set up in 1880, it has played a major role of international scope in the field of cultural creation and diffusion.
The Círculo de Bellas Artes is a major multidisciplinary centre with one of the most active cultural programmes in Madrid. It has exhibition rooms, a cinema, a theatre, concert halls, lecture halls, artists’ workshops, a library, a cafeteria, a shop and many other facilities. Every day it puts on activities to do with the visual arts, music, film, the stage, literature, science, philosophy and poetry.
The building which houses the Círculo de Bellas Artes was designed by the architect Antonio Palacios and constructed in 1926. It is an emblematic building and from its rooftop you can enjoy some of the best views of Spain’s capital city.
When we visited there was an exhibition featuring young designers, and another on the art of comic strip drawing.
The comic strip making exhibit, again of modest size, was of high quality and emphasized the active political role taken by these artists in producing art which provides critical commentary on current events. It was interesting, later in our trip at the Reina Sofia Museum, to find ourselves looking at illustrated propaganda from the period of the Spanish Civil War and to realize the continuum that this art form has maintained.
The Círculo building is impressive and features a beautiful staircase that winds its way to the upper levels.
A virtual tour of the building is available here
on the institute's website (requires Quicktime).
The star feature of the building is certainly its huge rooftop terrace. In fact it was pictures like this first one that led us to the CBA in the first place, thinking we would be able to enjoy an evening cocktail high above the city. Alas, the space is only used in the evenings for special events so unless you are on someone's guest list you must visit during the day.
We were actually more than happy to visit in the daylight- we were rewarded with a spectacular view over the capital. And fortunately for us, on the day we chose to visit we were treated yet again to the most spectacular blue skies.
*****
*****
CIRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES
Calle ALCALÁ, 42
28014 MADRID
28014 MADRID
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