The Pompidou Centre in Malaga opened its doors in April 2015. It quickly gained a reputation for cutting-edge art in its permanent collection and thought-provoking temporary exhibitions. This together with its iconic multi-coloured glass cube has made it one of the best art museums in Malaga and southern Spain.
In April 2022, the Pompidou Centre renewed its permanent collection again. A Time of One’s Own – Escapìng the Clock will be on display until October 2023 giving visitors to Malaga the chance to see work from some of the finest 20th and 21st century artists. In this guide to the Pompidou Centre in Malaga we offer an insight on what to see at the museum plus essential practical information.
What’s on display at the Pompidou Centre in Malaga
A Time of One’s Own collection at the Pompidou Centre in Malaga is divided into six sections (listed below), all exploring our relationship with time. But before you enter, enjoy All my Life, a Bruce Baillie video with an Ella Fitzgerald soundtrack.
Leisure Time
This section looks at what we do in our free time and contains a great mixture of artwork, sculptures and objects. Picasso’s Little Girl Skipping sculpture takes pride of place alongside Philip Stark’s Big Toy and paintings by Leger and Makowski. We particularly liked the Optimistic Box No 3 (so much the better if you can’t play chess).
Holiday Time
In tandem with leisure time go holidays (you’re probably on holiday while looking at this exhibition) and this room showcases some great art (The Two Barges by André Derain, for example) plus videos and objects. Beach huts take centre stage – Aldo Rossi’s 1983 model, for example, plus a video of beach huts in France in the 1930s and now. The Flying Holiday Home designed by Guy Rottier in 1964 offers a futuristic vision of vacation time.
Time of Introspection
Architectural models feature in this section – Agustín Hernández, for example. It also looks at domestic activities that take up time when we don’t really know what to do with it. There’s a fun video, Semiotics of the Kitchen by Martha Rosler, where she does an ABC of kitchen utensils and a large installation by Matali Crasset.
In-between Time
Sleeping obviously takes up a lot of time so it’s no surprise to find sleep and dreams in the new exhibition. A giant video screen of a slumbering clown is the main exhibit in this room where you’ll also find an extraordinary sculpture by Richard Baquié that includes ventilators and a bit of a train.
Inner Time
The collection now moves to contemplative time with a touch of hallucinations in it too. This section is very sensory with several videos, a slightly troubling installation by Wendy Jacob (The Somnambulist, sleeping forms that breathe) plus some creative fluorescent tubes playing music by Emmanuel Lagarrigue. Max Ernst and Miró also take centre stage with three exceptional paintings.
Time of Confrontation
The final section in the largest room always gives the Pompidou Centre the chance to showcase its largest installations and this exhibition is no exception. There are four in total in the space and they include Vito Acconci’s extraordinary Convertible Clam Shutter, complete with piped music, Wilfredo Prieto’s equally weird and wonderful Avalanche, Toyo Ho’s Dwelling for Tokyo Nomad Women (the best view of this is from upstairs) and Carla Arcadi’s Triple Tent.
Highlights at the Pompidou Centre
Inside the multi-coloured cube – Daniel Buren’s cube can be seen from the inside from the main exhibition. Watch the clouds scud across the panes.
Children’s activities – the museum runs good exhibitions for children. Check the website to find out what’s on.
Central stairway – this big exhibition space usually showcases a one-off piece.
Museum shop – this is one of the best museum shops in Malaga with lots of great ideas for fun or unusual gifts plus an excellent selection of art books.
Pompidou Centre in Malaga – practicalities
Opening times
The Pompidou Centre opens Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday) from 9.30am to 8pm.
Admission
Main exhibition €7
Temporary Exhibition €4
Combined €9
Free admission on Sundays after 5pm
Accessible
The Pompidou Centre is fully accessible. Read more about accessible Malaga.
Time to allow for visit
Allow at least an hour to see A Time of One’s Own, longer if you watch all the videos.
Café and restaurant
The Pompidou Centre in Malaga doesn’t have a café or restaurant service. However, there are several excellent venues on Muelle Uno just outside. Read our guide to La Malagueta area.
This is one of the great museums in Malaga. Discover the others and decide which to visit while you’re on holiday in the city.
