Buenos Aires has a good deal to offer in terms of entertainment and night life, especially in the Latin American context however it is a silly exaggeration to suggest that it can compare culturally to New York, other important cities of the US or the major capitals of Europe. Pericles argues that he finds more here. More what? Museums? The Museum of Fine Arts and the Malba Museum are the leading art museums in BA. The former has a good collection of masters however a small one that could be contained in a few rooms of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery in Washington, the Art Institute of Chicago or many other museums in the US or Europe. The Malba is an attractive museum, generously built with the contribution of a single benefactor. There is a very good, though rather small, permanent collection and periodic changing exhibitions. There are no other museums in BA that can in any way claim to have even remotely international status. Traveling art exhibitions of major import, the kind of blockbuster shows that appear regularly at major international art museums, are unknown in BA. BA is simply not on the map when it comes to the contemporary art scene. Artists (including architects) who succeed go abroad, often to Europe, where there is a larger market for their work and, of course, more money.
BA is stronger in the performing arts. Its most distinguished musical institution is the Teatro Colon however the Colon has declined very seriously in the last two or more decades. As a municipally owned and run theatre it is overwhelmed by politics and inefficiency. Labor strife is rampant. A couple of seasons ago performances were routinely cancelled or rescheduled with complete disregard for the public. The Colon’s director and administrative staff are changed frequently at the whim of the government in power. All of this has had negative effects on the artistic quality. The jewel in the crown of the Teatro Colon is the opera company which now performs no more than 11 or 12 operas a year perhaps an average of four times each, a fraction of what is performed by the Metropolitan Opera or other major opera houses. Because of the high fees that international artists command, the Colon has difficulty attracting the famous singers who used to routinely come here. After years of neglect the theatre has been closed for a major renovation. Unfortunately there is no other major opera house or concert hall in the city, as in New York or many cities of Europe. BA desperately needs an orchestra hall for the Philharmonic, the National Symphony (apparently currently defunct due to political problems) and visiting orchestras. The Colon’s ballet and the BA Philharmonic are at best mediocre – that they could be compared to the best European and American institutions (there are many) is laughable. There are many outstanding Argentine born performers: Marta Argerich, Daniel Barenboim, Bruno Gelber, Julio Boca, Pamela Hererra, a number of important opera singers etc. They all live and work abroad (the US or Europe) though they make appearances in Argentina. Marta Argerich has been especially generous to the Argentine public. BA has a rich musical life compared to any other city in Latin America but it can compare to major European or American cities in the areas of the fine arts or performing arts. I appreciate what is here and I take advantage of it but I have no illusions about being in New York or London in terms of variety and quality.
I’m planning a trip to Europe in a few months to Europe with a focus on art, architecture and music. Pericles can tell me all he wants that BA has more than Milan, Rome, Venice, London and Paris but I am afraid he is not going to convince me. None of this means that BA does not have its charms – just not the richness of history, art and music that can be found in Europe. Apparently my previous post (the one that sparked this thread) was deleted by someone. I hope this one is saved.
