MAAT

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? When MAAT opened in 2016, it was a major cultural moment not just for the city of Lisbon, but for Portugal in general. It’s a majestic riverside space for contemporary art. The futuristic structure by British architect Amanda Levete is unlike anything you’ll find in Portugal. And exhibition spaces can also be found in the newly reimagined central power station. It’s definitely grand. A museum’s permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? It’s a multidisciplinary art and culture destination. The permanent collection and the rotating exhibitions run the gamut, from pop art to ceramics to wood sculptures. There’s even an archival collection about the history of Portuguese electricity. It’s also home to what is now the most impressive collection of contemporary Portuguese art. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? MAAT does host rotating exhibitions. Most recently, there was a Carsten Höller show that played with light. Aric Chen and Martina Muzi also curated a multi-artist, multidisciplinary show about globalization. The space is beautiful. The architecture is unique, meaning exhibition spaces—which total 3,000 square meters—are different shapes, different sizes. Some are brightly lit with massive windows while others are darker and more intimate. What did you make of the crowd? The exhibitions can be a little more unusual. So you definitely get a lot of people who are very into the subject and art in general. But because MAAT was such a big deal for Portugal, you do have Portuguese families who come just to check out the space. There are children, most of them are enthralled by the multi-sensory experience you get here. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The museum is wheelchair-friendly. Not only does it have ramps and elevators for the mobility impaired, there are also a couple of wheelchairs that you can use during your visit. Is the café worth a stop? There is a casual cafe, where you can grab sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and beer. But there’s also a very buzzy fine dining restaurant that serves full-on meals and heavier dishes like oxtail stew and octopus from the Algarve. Both have great views of the river. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? You don’t have to see everything. And if you’re not into art, it’s worth going to the museum (no need to buy a ticket) to look at the building from the outside. And then sit on the promenade next the river with a cold beer. It’s great for people-watching." - Chadner Navarro