Museums Worth Travelling For
8 museums you will want to jet across the globe for
The arts give us a glimpse into culture and times long gone, into the minds of creative individuals who have helped shape our world. Whether behind the doors of a historic façade or housed in the halls of a post-modern monument as interesting as the art itself, we’ve rounded up our top picks for museums that are worth the journey alone.
Design Museum Holon, Israel
From November 2018, the Design Museum Holon will be reopening with an exhibition by Dutch designer Maarten Bass. Hide & Seek shows off the artist’s skill to traverse between the realms of surrealism and primitivism, showing off theatrically playful and radical pieces that bring together both art and design. The museum itself opened in 2010, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of the most renowned museums for design and contemporary art in the world. Internationally acclaimed architect Ron Arad designed the building, which is a marvel in itself.
Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
One of the best-known names in the art world, Guggenheim New York is a must for avid collectors and amateur spectators alike. From Picasso and Kadinsky to Van Gogh and Mapplethorpe, the Solomun R. Guggenheim Foundation has dedicated itself to providing artists with a stage to present their work. Visitors can enjoy the works of both established greats and up-and-comers across all four Guggenheim locations worldwide: New York, Venice, Bilbao and Abu Dhabi.
Ragnarock Museum, Roskilde, Denmark
With its abstract façade, the Ragnarock Museum looks like an ode to the Pop Art movement. Inside, visitors dive into a world dedicated to music, showing off diverse installations and exhibitions that take you on an auditory journey through time. From political movements to consumer behaviour, Ragnarock shows us just how influential music is in our lives. Maybe we can save the world through music afterall…
Archi-Depot Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Opened in 2016, Archi-Depot explores the cultural influences that architecture has, displayed across a range of models and sketches from across the globe. The works of some of the most acclaimed architects of our times is displayed here, their models portrayed as intricate sculptures to be wondered at in their perfection.
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
The Viennese Kunsthistorische Museum is a stark contrast to the others on this list, traditionally displaying historic artwork. The Egyptian, Oriental and Antiquities collections are especially impressive, as are the works from the world-renowned Kunstkammer Wien. The building itself is one of historical significance, featuring impressive columns, crown moulding and frescos.
Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa
The recently opened Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (short: MOCAA) is dedicated to 21st-century African art, with mediums ranging from sculpture and photography to film and performance art. Housed in a former grain silo at the V&A Waterfront, the Zeitz MOCAA is a cultural institution that has already set its mark on the city.
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
Rising from the banks of the river like an abstract iceberg, the Riverside Museum sets its sights on mobility. From skateboards to automobiles and motor bikes, visitors here can see over 3,000 objects dedicated to transportation. Glasgow’s long history as a city of shipbuilding comes to life in the museum, whereas other exhibitions are incredibly interactive, making a visit here great for the entire family.
Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal, Canada
The Canadian Centre for Architecture is much more than your run-of-the-mill architecture museum. Visitors are encouraged to reflect and contemplate, coming to their own conclusions about the work on display. Architecture’s role in our daily lives is greater than most of us realise, and that’s precisely what this museum wants to convey.