Here’s a dozen shots of the Museum of Contemporary Art taken over the rainy weekend when I decided that Ljubljana’s newest museum would become the chief beneficiary in my will.

I don’t remember the exact moment that I reached that decision, only that I felt perfectly at peace after I did. I don’t plan to die anytime soon, nor do I plan to have much to leave when I do. But it’s still good to know where whatever is left will be going.  Why here?

I like the space. I enjoy its feel and the attitude it conveys. Its setting, in Ljubljana’s newish museum quarter bordering on the Metelkova City alternative space, is energizing, albeit in a subdued, measured way. And I like its presentation – an understated confidence which suggests that what is on exhibit and housed there is worthy of your time and attention, further exploration, and yes, even a financial investment.

by Romanian artist Dan Perjovschi

MSUM (Muzej sodobne umetnosti Metelkova) finally opened its doors last November, an opening that attracted the attention of even the New York Times. That a new home for Eastern European avante-garde art is housed in a former Yugoslav army barracks that was (at least in part) saved from the wrecking ball by squatters shortly after independence, adds to its lore.

It’s major claim to fame is that it’s the home base for Arteast 2000+, the world’s oldest collection of Eastern European avante-garde art from the 1960s to the present. Slovenia’s Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Galerija) began amassing the works in the 1990s but quickly ran out of room.  The Ministry of Culture gave the Moderna another building which eventually became MSUM.

Now Showing

But having a building allotted by the ministry –one that no longer exists by the way– didn’t come with a blank check. Or any check. Which is forcing MSUM to improvise. And recycle. Currently showing is The Present and Presence – Repetition 1 (through 28-October), an expansion exhibit of the first installation that opened the museum last fall. A five-point list of reasons behind Repetition 1 is also part of the exhibit:

- A little more here on a previous Piran Cafe post
- The Museum’s website is here
- And here’s a longer and extremely fascinating read – The Metelkova Case: From Army Barracks to Museum of Contemporary Art, from Manitesta Journal: Around curatorial practices

MSUM – Maistrova 3 (Map)
Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am till 6 pm.
Closed on Mondays, + 1 January, 27 April, 1 May, 15 August, 1 November and 25 December.

adults: 5.00 eur
students, pensioners: 2.50 eur
groups (adults): 3.50 eur
groups (students, pensioners): 2.00 eur
families: 6.00 eur