Centre Pompidou Málaga in Málaga, Spain

© Wim Wiskerke/Alam

International Museum Day

On International Museum Day, we're looking at the Centre Pompidou Málaga in Spain, an offshoot of the modern art museum in Paris. This location was introduced in 2015 as a pop-up branch—a temporary, underground space for exhibitions and multi-disciplinary experiences as well as workshops dedicated to younger audiences. Originally scheduled for a five-year run, it was extended until 2025. The piece we see here, 'El Cubo,' created by French artist Daniel Buren, is the only part of the museum that's visible above ground. The glass cube functions as a multicolored skylight, its panels projecting tinted light into the subterranean museum's courtyard below.

International Museum Day began in 1977, with participating museums, galleries, and similar institutions offering free or reduced admission, as well as programs to highlight the work they do. In 2020, the format was adapted to focus on virtual activities, and this year will offer a mix of online, hybrid, and in-person events. As museums around the world begin to reopen their doors, this year's theme is 'The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.'