In a town known for painters, Daniel Abate rounds up a compelling array of video and sculpture, photography and installations (and some paintings). Abate is considered the best at spotting BA's bright young things; his lineup includes Mariela Scafati, who recently blanketed the space with rainbow-striped canvases. Eduardo Navarro, 29, is known for films in which he documented niche groups such as UFO spotters; part of his latest installation, La Fabrica de Budines (Pudding Shop), on display this spring, was inspired by peeking in the windows of a working-class Buenos Aires neighbourhood. Pasaje Bollini 2170; 54 (11) 4804-8247; http://www.danielabategaleria.com.ar
Braga Menéndez
Arte Contemporáneo
This gallery may be the city's heaviest hitter, but it treats its place in the BA art scene with levity. And with art that is this effervescent - even when it deals with weighty issues - it's hard not to feel good. Of course, it helps that the Braga Menéndez roster includes the white-hot artist Hernan Salamanco, creator of those For Sale-sign paintings. This spring he will show all new work - a few paintings at ArteBA, and more at the gallery. Sure to cause a clamour is new work by León Ferrari, a godfather of contemporary art who is still prolific at 89 years of age. Humboldt 1574; 54 (11) 4775-5577; http://www.galeriabm.com
Appetite
For something completely different, there's Appetite, the gallery-cum-party hosted by Daniela Luna, the 31-year-old who is perhaps the city's most publicity-savvy scenester. For spring, Luna snagged Mauro Guzmán, named one of the most promising talents at last year's Barrio Joven area in ArteBA, where young artists hold court. Luna curates a scene - a jubilant, messy, paint-splattered fete. The gallery's booth at London's Frieze Art Fair this past October was a live diorama of artists at work, play and, at one point, running naked through the hall.
Chacabuco 551; 54 (11) 4331-540; http://www.appetite.com.ar
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Pack your bags
GETTING THERE
Air Canada flies direct to Buenos Aires. Many airlines fly there from Canadian cities via Miami.
WHERE TO STAY
Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires Alvear 1661; 800-223-1234; http://www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.com. From $472.
Home Hotel Honduras 5860; 54 (11) 4778-1008; http://www.homebuenosaires.com. Close to ArteBA and to Palermo's galleries and shops.
MUSEUMS
MALBA http://www.malba.org.ar. The city's contemporary art museum. Admission $17, $6 Wednesdays.
Coleccion de Arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat http://www.coleccionfortabat.org.ar. The new museum shows 19th- and 20th-century works in a Rafael Viñoly building. Admission $17.
