Bogotá and its Free Museos
Botero and Dali usually elicit eyebrow raises and the art collectors in a crowd that are interested in obtaining these works but aren’t yet aficionados force themselves into overpriced museums… sometimes. Looking for a way to get to Monserrate atop Bogotá’s skyscrapers, the Colección Botero Museum (just up the block from the Casa de la Moneda) opened its doors by way of probably the friendliest door guard I’d ever met anywhere on this planet. Too bad I cannot remember his name, but he said Monserrate on a Friday morning wasn’t such a great idea. So he said come on in here! Free and you can shoot all the pictures you like.
Sweet! Pictures at an Exhibition… err, I mean, free pics of all the exhibits! Well, at least you can’t touch. This will be what some of the well-dressed museum eyes will say, and in some cases can answer your questions about when certain pieces were acquired into the collection. With all the Boteros- characterized by voluptuous, thick, grosso, gordos, overweight subjects, in both paint and sculpture, even the non-Botero fans out there quickly gain a sense of appreciation for the work of this most famous Colombian artist. Some of the themes in this collection include comical Boteros as well as the more traditional European impressionist, postmodern, cubist, and exaggerated works by Matisse, Picasso, and even Dalí.
The outside of the building is fairly drabby, but the interior promises a very nice courtyard area where you can shoot nice pictures with Monserrate in the background, sure enough to please those that will want to go on Saturdays. The feel of the collection is of a typical expanded art gallery, and the closeness to the actual works may entice the unscrupulous to try and take a work or two home but be warned, laser sensors abound here and it is doubtful the museum guards receive inadequate training in securing their collection. By following the rules here you ensure many more free visits to this museum for many more future tourists to Bogotá.
If you are really into this kind of museum experience, then the Casa de la Moneda is just down the block, but due to the nature of the collection (money), it’s a little more restrictive. This will be included in the next trip to Bogotá as well as other museum sites that have yet to be seen. Then if you really enjoy Boteros, you can ask for one as a wedding present from your rich family members… or not.
by Kiryo on August 6, 2006