The museum variety of a capital may well remind the breadth of its gastronomic possibilities. In the same way that the hotel industry offers Korean, Lebanese or Castilian food, the cultural offer of Madrid is as wide as you can imagine and sometimes even more. The geominero museum, the costume or typhlological account for this, but so does a somewhat more unknown museum: the glass. Specifically the Museum of Glass Art Alcorcón (MAVA).
The MAVA, opened in October 1997 on the initiative of sculptor Javier Gomez, offers a different look at a material as common in our daily lives as glass. Baskets, vases, sculptures and even a guitar, all made with a technique that, although centuries old, still proves to be a fertile ground for innovation.
The heart of the museum beats in its hundred permanent works, a compendium of the creative possibilities of contemporary glass. This collection brings together the expertise of more than 80 international artists and has its origin in two sources: personal donations from the collector Takako Sano, with more than 60 pieces, and contributions from artists friends of Javier Gomez himself, now artistic advisor to the museum.
The MAVA not only exhibits, but also teaches, connects and challenges. In addition to its permanent collection, it organizes activities for all audiences: guided tours, educational workshops for schoolchildren, lectures and temporary exhibitions.
A castle as a venue
But perhaps the most striking jewel of this museum is its headquarters: the Castillo Grande de San José de Valderas. An imposing building, whose architecture almost makes you forget that we are in the heart of Alcorcón. The mixture of medieval walls and modern glass pieces creates a contrast that is, in itself, an aesthetic experience.
Practical information about MAVA
Visiting the MAVA is easy and poses no excuses, since access is completely free. Its opening hours are Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 hours, while weekends open from 10:30 to 14:30 hours (closed on holidays).