Art stuff in Santiago

So, I can't come to Chile not see some art. Claudio and I went to Museo de Bellas Artes (check out the link). Supposedly this is the first art museum built in South America, so it is only necessary that I see it. The museum was nice and luckily we got in for free because we came at a certain time. Depending on the time you may have to pay to enter, but we're talking around two dollars. The museum had a couple special exhibitions showing at the time, all Chilean artists. I was glad to see some work from the country itself, because I did not learn much about Latin American art in college. I think these countries should get a little more notice for the talent they have here.  We were not able to see the entire museum due to renovation and changing of exhibitions. There is also another museum and school connected to the building: MAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo). All in all we had a good visit to the museum but I would like to come back when all collections are open for view.

After visiting the museum, we walked across the street to Parque Forestal. This park is a long area with lots of trees lining the sidewalks. The weather during the day was nice enough to walk around the park and not be too cold. You can find quite a few parks around Santiago that many people enjoy throughout all seasons. We made our way to Plaza Italia from the park to see another exhibition. In a large cellular building, there was a public and free showing of "World Press Photo 2011." I had never heard of the organization, but it is an annual competition of press photos from around the world. There are so many shocking, moving, and beautiful photographs in this exhibition.

It is a good thing we went to these places the other day because today there is a march in Plaza Italia for educational reform. This is something quite normal in Chile, especially Santiago. Students go on strike very often, sometimes with peaceful demonstrations, sometimes not. It is not that the education is bad, by any means, but many students are always wanting something to change. The main desire is for free education. In the US, this is almost unheard of. We complain about private tuition, but never go on strike. Somehow, I think there can be a happy medium between the two.

Onto something a little less serious, here's a funny picture for the day:

This is my little friend I found at the art museum. (Don't worry, I didn't pet him.) Dogs are everywhere in the city! There's no real animal control, which is why you see them everywhere you go. Be thankful for that in the US!