The world’s first museum ship, a 47-metre sailing catamaran, is offering free public access and a range of cultural activities at Barcelona’s Port Vell. Part of the Art Explora Festival, the vessel has been docked at Moll Barcelona Nord since 26 March. It will remain open to visitors until Monday, 6 April, coinciding with the Easter week.
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Visitors can explore the ship and its accompanying quay exhibitions daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Experiences both onboard and at the quay conclude at 21:00, with the final permitted access at 19:45. While entry is free, the Ajuntament de Barcelona recommends making an online reservation through the official Art Explora Festival website to secure a slot.
Free Access and Booking Details
Moll Barcelona Nord, a recently opened public space within Port Vell, provides the setting for this unique cultural event. The festival website offers comprehensive details on all activities and facilitates the booking process. This initiative allows up to 2,000 visitors daily to engage with art and culture in an innovative maritime environment.
The museum ship itself is a significant attraction. Architects Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier designed the impressive 47-metre sailing catamaran. It serves as a floating exhibition space, bringing diverse artistic expressions to the public.
Immersive Exhibitions Onboard and Ashore
Onboard the vessel, visitors can enjoy an immersive journey featuring a Mediterranean soundscape. Additionally, a virtual reality show transports guests back in time to Alexandria, Athens, and Venice during their artistic and architectural peaks. These experiences offer a captivating blend of history and technology.
Three distinct exhibition pavilions are also installed on the quay. The first, named “Present”, offers a large-format immersive exhibition. This display, created in collaboration with the Louvre Museum, focuses on female figures from Mediterranean civilisations. A highlight is its presentation within a 16-metre LED-covered tunnel.
Another pavilion, “Under the Azure” (Sota l’atzur), explores modern and contemporary art. It examines the Mediterranean as a space of myth, memory, and tension. This exhibition features works by renowned artists such as Joan Miró, Etel Adnan, Simone Fattal, and Anri Sala.
Finally, the photography pavilion hosts “Against the Current” (Contracorrent). This exhibition showcases artists from the Arab world. It addresses critical themes of migration, exile, and hospitality across the Mediterranean region, offering powerful visual narratives.
Diverse Programme of Arts and Education
Beyond the main exhibitions, the Art Explora Festival organises a wide array of performances, concerts, and DJ sessions. It also includes various workshops and educational activities for all ages. Last weekend, the festival dedicated two days to ocean-related themes, featuring researchers and artists discussing environmental and maritime issues.
Frédéric Jousset, founder and president of Art Explora, highlighted the festival’s unique approach. He stated, “Its focus on sound is very linked to the visual arts.” Jousset also noted the hybrid and transdisciplinary proposals available for all audiences. These range from a fictional fish auction and oral storytelling sessions to sound poetry, cinema, and flamenco.
This temporary installation offers Barcelona residents and tourists a rare opportunity to experience world-class art and culture in a novel setting. The Art Explora Festival provides a rich programme of free activities, concluding its visit to the city on 6 April.
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Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
