From the Prado to the Reina Sofia, to say that Madrid is renowned for its rich collections of European art would be an understatement. But these works of art, while remarkable for its historical legacy, may not be everyone's cup of tea. Whether you may be travelling on a budget, or just looking for something more current, gritty, and unapologetic, we’ve got you covered with a round-up of the city’s best contemporary arts culture. Often stamped with political statements, homegrown artists represent the vibrancy and fervour of the millennial generation in their creative works. Spanning across street art to indie film screenings, Madrid’s ‘underground’ arts scene is noteworthy in its own right, with of course, Instagram-worthy photo-ops, perfect for your hipster aesthetic feeds.
The Matadero
Situated in the Legazpi district of southern Madrid, the Matadero is a former slaughterhouse turned edgy contemporary cultural hub. The building as it stands today was (re)constructed through a somewhat unconventional process known as “reversible architecture” to reflect rather than obscure its character and origins. Today, the Matadero hosts regular exhibitions and even street food events across its various cultural spaces including the Centre of Design and the Space for Visual Artists.
Artistic experimentation is at the heart of the Matadero, and is most evident in its Casa del Lector (House of the Reader), a reading room for cross-community collaboration and interpretation of the world through the medium of the arts. Right by the main building, you’ll also find the Cineteca, Spain’s only art-house cinema dedicated to showcasing indie documentary films. Set along the River Manzanares, the Matadero is every arts student’s ultimate dream.
La Casa Encendida
La Casa Encendida takes after Spanish poet Luis Rosales Camacho’s work of the same name, meaning ‘the burning house’. Drawing on this symbolism, the social and cultural centre focuses on four spheres of action: arts, solidarity, environment, and education. In keeping up to speed with the ever-changing trends and needs of global issues, La Casa Encendida is committed to spurring environmental change through non-formal education of the arts.
Here are some of the most groundbreaking artistic expressions in the realms of visual and performing arts, music, literature, and cinema that explore these different spheres from incredibly diverse perspectives. Come by this avant-garde space and learn about the place of the arts in global change, and possibly catch an open-air film screening on the beautiful rooftop terrace while you’re out here.
Cine Doré
From its exterior design and typography to its repository of old film, this 1920s cinema is a stunning snapshot from the past. Currently home to the Filmoteca Española, Cine Doré is a chic film theatre screening eclectic seasons of films, both local and foreign, with English-language films at just €2.50. Coupled with a neon-lit café, a dynamic meeting point for movie buffs, and a tiny film book shop for a lovely browse before your screening, this is the ideal spot for an interesting evening to say the least. If you’ve never experienced a silent film at the theatre, be sure to stop by Auditorium 1, and you might even be lucky enough to have some live music in the back. Tip: Get your tickets early online to skip the queues just before showtime.
Malasaña
The hip neighbourhood of Malasaña is splattered with graffiti paint as part of the yearly street art festival, Pinta Malasaña, Madrid’s most-awaited event of its sort for urban artists. But what you may not realise is that graffiti art here is more than just a quirky mismatch of design and composition. It is often politically-charged — the war of colours over and across metal shutters, iron bars, windows, and walls of private entities in this working-class district is an intentional act of rebellion and resistance against gentrification. Look out for the exquisite stencil art of Parisian artist C215 and the hidden messages within Ze Carrion’s works.
Arte al Cubo
The message behind Arte al Cubo is simple: accessibility. By bringing in a whole spectrum of colours to this otherwise gloomy neglected hallway—a safe haven for the homeless during the winter season—the 10 artists behind these works of art have only one goal in mind: that everybody should be able to access and appreciate art, be it in any form, no matter their financial status. Either working individually or in artistic collaboration with one another, the marked stylistic and conceptual elements of the different artists strategically intertwine and diverge in the murals that line up this passageway. A hotspot for youth and leisure of any kind, this is a must stop-by even for visitors, for an alternative socio-cultural perspective to tourism, one that you may not find at the Prado.
La Neomudéjar
Formerly a railway factory, this oddly-shaped open warehouse with triangular roofs is a cutting edge arts centre and international artist residency showcasing the most eccentric creative works. Not to be appalled by its eerie exterior, the ‘neo-mudéjar’ architectural style of the late 19th century, one of the greatest successes in Madrid’s art history, gives the building its perceptible identity through its very name. Anything but conventional, La Neomudéjar is a conduit for the misfits from parkour to robotics, and more.
By welcoming emerging artists from all across the globe, all of whom have left behind their unique imprints on the building itself, this radical space celebrates breaking barriers through redefining the art form. If you’re looking for anything out of the ordinary, this is the spot for you!
