Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Vila Real > Chaves > Chaves
The Nadir Afonso Contemporary Art Museum, known as MACNA, stands in Chaves, in the Quinta da Estação area, next to the right bank of the Tâmega river. Its position is privileged, integrated into a space that embraces the river and harmonizes with the surrounding natural landscape, offering views of the city and the riverside environment.
Its proximity to the river and its thoughtful placement allow for a fluid connection with the bank, where an inviting pedestrian path extends along the Tâmega, facilitating the exploration of this area of the city. The building itself was designed to dialogue with this environment, respecting and valuing its location.
Inaugurated in 2016, MACNA is a creation of the renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, recipient of the Pritzker Prize. The building stands out for its unique and expressive architecture, designed to withstand potential river floods, featuring a single floor elevated from the ground by exposed white concrete structural blades, perpendicular to the Tâmega riverbed. The main entrance is via a gentle ramp, which leads visitors to this suspended structure.
Geometry is a central element in the museum's design, echoing the principles of Nadir Afonso's work. Beneath the main body, the passages and arches display geometric shapes such as the square, the semicircle, and the triangle, inviting close observation of the design. This edifice is a remarkable example of how contemporary architecture can integrate into the natural environment while simultaneously establishing itself as a work of art.
MACNA's main focus lies in Portuguese contemporary art produced from the second half of the 20th century. The museum permanently houses a significant collection of works by the artist from Chaves, Nadir Afonso, after whom it is named. Its core collection includes pieces the artist donated to the municipality of Chaves, complemented by other donations and deposits from renowned artists.
In addition to the exhibition dedicated to Nadir Afonso, the museum presents a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, exploring different languages and perspectives of contemporary art. These exhibitions address various themes, often with a connection to the concept of abstraction and the symbolism of water, reflecting the building's location and Chaves' thermal character. The objective is to offer visitors a broad and diverse view of the artistic landscape.
In addition to its exhibition halls, MACNA integrates various facilities that enrich the visitor experience. It features an art-specialized library, with a collection of exhibition catalogs, monographs, and periodicals, available for in-person consultation.
The museum also has an equipped auditorium, with a capacity for one hundred people, where cultural and academic events are held. Art lovers can also discover the artistic studio, a space designed for creation and inspiration, formerly Nadir Afonso's own atelier, with abundant natural light and an unobstructed view of the river. There is also a plastic arts room dedicated to educational activities for children and young people, fostering creativity and contact with art.
The museum's relationship with the surrounding landscape is one of its most striking aspects. Siza Vieira's architectural project retained pre-existing natural elements on site, such as some fruit trees and ruins of old structures, creating a harmonious balance between the site's identity and the contemporaneity of the construction. This fusion between the natural and the built invites a unique experience.
The museum's galleries, particularly the one facing the river, incorporate continuous horizontal openings in the concrete, allowing the exterior landscape to extend into the interior, integrating it into the exhibition itself. This visual permeability invites contemplation of nature and the Tâmega river, making a visit to MACNA a journey that intertwines art, architecture, and the riverside environment of Chaves.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.7408586,-7.4657291
Coordinates DMS: 41°44'27.1"N 07°27'56.6"W
Weather Chaves
On-duty Pharmacy Chaves
