Throughout this summer, we’ve sent you across the globe to experience and document the most social media-worthy exhibitions and artworks as part of our #InstagramThis series. But why not think bigger? For our final installment of the summer, we went beyond the exhibition and rounded up museums that are so well-designed that they’re essentially works of art themselves. You could say that they’re beautiful on the inside and the outside.
Aspen Art Museum (637 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, CO)
Originally used as a power plant, the building was then repurposed as a visual arts center and eventually redesigned in 2014 by Shigeru Ban. Rather than enter at ground level as one normally would, visitors must climb an external staircase or take a glass elevator to the rooftop before traveling downwards, mimicking the path of the skiing that Colorado is known for.
While you’re there: This summer, settle into the Roof Deck Sculpture Garden and watch a movie under the open stars.
Audain Art Museum (4350 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada)
Designed to harmonize with the landscape, this museum looks as though it’s growing out of a forest — or perhaps the forest is growing out of the building. In any case, if you’re looking to get back in touch with nature, this is the place for you.
While you’re there: Edward Burtynsky: The Scarred Earth delves into the changes that humans have inflicted on Earth’s surface with a documentary.
EYE Filmmuseum (IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Located right by the water, it’s just a free ferry-ride away from Amsterdam’s Central Station. In our opinion, the best time of day to see it is actually at night, with the city lights reflecting off of the calm IJ waterway. The EYE is open late anyway.
While you’re there: With four cinemas, there’s always a film to catch at the EYE. Check their program here, or visit one of their exhibitions like the one featuring Martin Scorsese, director of Taxi Driver and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Louis Vuitton Foundation (8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris, France)
Legendary architect Frank Gehry designed this sleek, monumental museum. His daring ideas were so unconventional that they had to invent unprecedented techniques to complete the project as he envisioned it.
While you’re there: Instagram one of the Foundation’s commissioned pieces, including a sculptural installation by the architect himself.
Milwaukee Art Museum (700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI)
If you’re a New Yorker, this museum should feel familiar to you. It was, in part, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed the new World Trade Center train station. Its futuristic style with clean lines and dazzling white makes for the perfect artsy Instagram post.
While you’re there: Take a look around Hail We Now Sing Joy, an exhibition featuring 14 of Rashid Johnson’s large-scale artworks. Stick around long enough, and you’ll catch a local pianist playing music from within one of the installations.
MOMU Moesgaard Museum (Moesgård Allé 15, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark)
This museum, dedicated to archaeology and ethnography, has two Michelin-stars in the Michelin attractions guide. It’s not difficult to understand why it comes so highly rated once you see the new exhibition building seemingly growing out of the earth itself.
While you’re there: Immerse yourself in The Journey, a cinematic production that was filmed on all seven continents.
New Museum (235 Bowery, New York, NY)
Designed by Tokyo-based architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA, this unusual structure looks like seven rectangular boxes stacked haphazardly atop one another. This shape allowed for the elimination of thick, obstructive columns and for the maximal amount of natural light to filter in.
While you’re there: Sign up for the Architecture Tour, free with museum admission. If you can’t make it, at least go on up to the Sky Room for a spectacular view of the entire city.
The Broad (221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA)
The honeycomb-like structure allows for light to filter into the museum, which houses nearly 2000 works of contemporary art.
While you’re there: You can’t miss Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Here’s how to get tickets.
top photo // via @thefloraculturist
