Marion PhelutBased in the heart of Barcelona, a city where artistic effervescence is omnipresent, the Moco Museum has become a must-see for lovers of modern and contemporary art. Set in a 19th-century palace in the heart of the El Born district, it offers an experience where modern art, street art and immersive digital installations meet.
With a selection of permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum stands out for its ability to create a dialogue between eras, offering an immersive experience that engages and inspires. Here’s an overview of the exhibitions currently on show, highlighting the artists and concepts that are shaping the contemporary artistic landscape.
Conceived as a place of free expression, the Moco Museum celebrates artists who have left their mark on the history of art and those who are redefining the boundaries of creation today. With permanent collections devoted to Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, as well as brand new temporary exhibitions, the museum offers a journey where commitment, innovation and wonder come together.
Banksy: Street art as silent revolt
The Moco Museum is marked by a legendary and elusive figure in contemporary street art: Banksy. His provocative and committed work highlights the contradictions of our society, denouncing over-consumption, mass surveillance and social injustice.
The Moco Museum’s permanent collection features some of his most famous works, such as ‘Girl with Balloon’, a symbol of hope and fragility, in which a little girl tries to catch a red heart-shaped balloon. But also, “Bullet Hole Bust”, which is a modern revisited version of the classic David versus Goliath. The Banksy’s version shows evidence of a bullet wound in a perfectly polished marble bust and suggests that classical art is dead.
Through his work, Banksy doesn’t just make art: he challenges the viewer, calling him out and inviting him to reflect. This is an exhibition not to be missed if you want to understand the impact of street art on our society today.
The Modern Masters
The Moco Museum also celebrates the emblematic figures of the 20th century, who shattered artistic codes and set the foundations for modern art. Its permanent collection includes works by artists such as: Andy Warhol, the pop art pioneer known for transforming consumer products and famous figures into artistic icons; Jean-Michel Basquiat, who fused graffiti and expressive painting to tackle themes such as identity and racial inequality; Keith Haring with his distinctive graphic style; Yayoi Kusama with her obsession with polka dots; and Salvador Dalí, the master of surrealism.
This section of the museum allows you to explore the works of those who have shaped the landscape of modern art.
Contemporary Masters
While the Moco Museum celebrates the pioneers of modern art, it also highlights the contemporary talents who are pushing back the boundaries of creation. Among them, KAWS, an American artist and designer, is one of the most striking figures.
His work ‘Final Days’, an imposing sculpture of a stylized character with eyes in the shape of a cross, stands proudly at the entrance to the Museum. Inspired by pop culture and the world of toys, KAWS uses familiar figures to question our relationship with consumerism and the media.
The collection also features Takashi Murakami, whose colorful manga-inspired world challenges the traditional codes of Japanese art.
By offering a look at the current evolution of art, the Moco Museum enables visitors to understand how contemporary artists are reinterpreting our world with audacity and originality.
Immersive and Digital Art
Far from limiting itself to a traditional approach to art, the Moco Museum also offers immersive and interactive exhibitions. Here, the boundaries between artist and viewer are blurred, and art becomes a total experience.
In particular, visitors can explore the creations of Studio Irma, which creates environments where light, colors and moving shapes create a sensation of infinity. The work ‘Reflecting Forward’, for example, transforms the space into a hypnotic kaleidoscope, where each reflection seems to extend into a further space.
Temporary exhibitions not to be missed
Robbie Williams – ‘Confessions of a Crowded Mind’ (21 June 2024 – 1 November 2025)
The famous British singer Robbie Williams reveals himself in a new way by exploring the torments of celebrity through visual art. ‘Confessions of a Crowded Mind’ is an introspective journey for people who have a mind full of doubts, accepting imperfection as a characteristic of our humanity.
Robin Kid (THE KID) – ‘The Future is Old’ (8 February 2024 – 25 May 2025)
THE KID turns art into a powerful social critique. ‘The Future is Old’ deconstructs the myth of progress and highlights generational inequalities. The hyper-realistic works presented raise questions about history repeating itself, and the position that young people will take in a world shaped by the past.
Guillermo Lorca – “Esplendor de la Noche” (in progress)
The Chilean artist Guillermo Lorca’s style comes from his study of the great masters of classical painting, as well as Renaissance and Baroque artists: “I read about the Victorian era, when new species were being discovered, and I wanted to convey that romantic, magical atmosphere”.
The artist takes us into a world halfway between dream and nightmare, where her realistic canvases depict the innocence of childhood meets the worrying.
‘The New FuTure”: Art in the age of NFT (In progress)
“The first European exhibition space devoted to the NFT phenomenon.” – Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is also opening up to NFTs: digital works authenticated by blockchain. NFTs are unique and rare objects that cannot be easily reproduced, and only the buyer can claim ownership.
‘The New FuTure’ explores how these new technologies are redefining art and its value, offering visitors a view into the future of this art market. The exhibition includes works by artists Pak, Six N. Five, Beeple, JR, Andrés Reisinger and Pilar Zeta.
