MAAT’s aim is to establish a new space where this three areas intertwine and open space for discovery, debate and critical thinking between national and international artists. The new museum will establish as well a dialog between the old building of Tejo Power Station and a new building, designed by the studio AL_A (Amanda Levete Architects’ Studio, London).
Tejo Power Station is one of Portugal’s most prominent examples of industrial architecture from the first half of 20th century. Until now it was home to some of the most visited exhibitions, as the World Press Photo.
Located next to Tejo Power Sation, the new building marks a new landmark on Lisbon’s waterfront. The low-rise building, designed along the riverside in a curvy structure, which swells and ducks into the ground will create a new public area by the water to the city. Outside its skin, made out of glazed tiles was inspired by the Portuguese tradition and heritage of using colorful ceramic tiles.
Inside, in its openning, on October the 5th, visitors will be able to visit the new work by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Utopia /Distopia, a project specially conceived to the MAAT; or the exhibition The World of Charles and Ray Eames, organized by the Barbican (London) and exhibitions from the Lisbon Architecture Triennale.
For now, and throughout Summer, MAAT first exhibition, ticked the opening of the renewed areas at Tejo Power Station, and comprises the four exhibitions: Artists’ Film International 2016, Second Nature, Edgar Martins Siloquies and Soliloquies on death, life and other interludes; and Lightopia, a commissioned work from Vitra Design Museum in partnership with EDP Foundation.
The museum is supported by the country’s EDP Foundation, has as its director the architect Pedro Gadanho who for the last three years served the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. As António Mexia, CEO of EDP says, Pedro Gadanho’s international experience and profile are essential to turn MAAT a distinctive space for contemporary culture in Portugal. Pedro Gadanho adds that “MAAT will be a cultural institution of the quality and breadth seen in major European cities, offering an exciting contemporary program at the intersection of art, architecture and technology.”
MAAT, Lisbon, Portugal
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