Relational Objects. MACBA Collection 2002-07

If one aspect has identified the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) over these years, it is its political position and its desire to question institutional discursive mechanisms. This objective has been the guiding light in our work. Along general lines, the museum operates in four spheres: the Collection, public activities, the museum’s organizational structure and the creation of mediating spaces with social movements and actors.

The MACBA Collection has maintained constant growth. Once more, our effort has been collective, forged from the complicity between the museum and artists.

The structure of this volume is concordant with the museum’s logic. In one direction, the text by Manuel J. Borja-Villel, director of the MACBA from 1998 to 2007, reflects on the fundaments of what at some stage became defined as the MACBA model. Meanwhile Kaira M. Cabañas describes and details the works that make up the most significant core of art acquired from 2002 to 2007. Lastly, Jorge Ribalta analyzes how the area of public programs, education and political action has evolved over these years.