Itinerary 5 The Contemporary Period

In Palma, there is a wide range of cultural and exhibition centres or art galleries with either permanent collections or temporary exhibitions, or both.

Among the permanent exhibitions, "Pintura moderna a Mallorca 1830 - 1970" is well worth a visit, at the Ses Voltes Exhibition Centre, where temporary exhibitions are often programmed as well.

The Parlament de les Illes Balears occupies the old seat of the Circulo Mallorquín and the building represents the refined spirit culture of the Majorcan bourgeoisie. Its construction began in 1848, and was designed by the Majorcan Antoni Sureda (1819 - 1873), although its present appearance is the result of a series of alterations. The Sala de les Cariátides is perhaps the most interesting space inside the Parliament building; decorated by Ricard Anckermann, it is the main debating chamber of the parliament. In the chamber of the "Pasos Perdidos" work by Majorcan painters such as Anckermann himself, Bauza, Ribas, Rosselló and Cerdà is hung. El Parlament de les Illes Balears, C/ Conqueridor, 11, Palma.

The headquarters of the "la Caixa" Foundation in the Balearics is in the old Gran Hotel, a modernist building constructed in 1903 by the Catalan architect Lluïs Domènech i Muntaner. In 1993 it became the regional headquarters of the foundation, which has an important collection of the works of the Catalan painter Anglada Camarasa on permanent exhibition, as well as putting on temporary and touring exhibitions throughout the year. It also has an auditorium for educational activities.

The "Sa Nostra" Cultural Centre is an entity founded in 1988 by the Caixa d'Estalvis de les Illes Balears, and the building was reformed to house it. There are two exhibition rooms for graphic art and photography, called the Sales de Paper, and a circuit of four rooms for exhibitions of painting, sculpture and artistic installations. In addition the centre has an auditorium where seasons of films are shown and seasons of talks and concerts are also programmed.

The Juan March Foundation Museum of Contemporary Spanish Art is in the old house of the Gallard des Canyar family which Juan March Ordinas purchased in 1919. Here one can view a complete collection, an authentic tour through contemporary art, from the early vanguard to the latest work. The gallery also has an educational service that organizes talks and guided tours. Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporari Fundació Juan March Address: Carrer de Sant Miquel, 11. Palma. Tel: 971 713 515 or 971 710 428. Opening hours: Monday to Friday - from 10 am to 6.30 pm. Saturdays - from 10 am to 1.30 pm Entrance charge: 3 Euro. Senior citizens, students and groups: 1.50 Euro. Local residents: free

“"Tête de femme", painted by Picasso in 1907, is the oldest work in the museum

The Bartolomé March Foundation has its headquarters in the Palau March in Palma, a building constructed between 1939 and 1944. The gallery's permanent exhibition consists of the collection of contemporary sculpture that Bartomeu March possessed in the Torre Cega in Cala Rajada, it is also home to the 18th century Neapolitan crib that is traditionally open to the public at Christmas. Visiting the gallery enables one to view the murals painted by Joseph Maria Sert (Barcelona 1874 -1945) that decorate the vault above the main staircase and the Music Room. The gallery holds temporary exhibitions, and the Palau March also has an auditorium for concerts. The Bartomeu March Servera Library has recently been enlarged.

The Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation in Majorca is housed in a group of buildings occupied by Joan March during the years he lived on the island. The oldest of the buildings is Son Boter, a 17th century house, where there are graffiti scrawled on the walls by the artist. The old garage was used by Miró as a studio for engravings. The latter, along with the lithography workshop, is still in use. The farm house is used to give courses or workshops.

The Moneo Building of the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró. Temporary exhibitions and Miró's own work are on show there

The Sert studio, named after the architect it was built by, is in exactly the same state that Miró left it in, and is open to the public in small groups. Finally, the Moneo building, designed by the architect of the same name in 1992, is a concrete and stone structure that contains exhibition rooms, the Miró collection and the services that the Foundation offers.