Today I took my children to the Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda.
I’d heard about a new space just for kids called the Galleria Cero and thought to check it out.
This mini gallery hosts temporary exhibitions and right now it’s La Maleta Infinita by Francisca Yanez. The current exhibition explores the transient nature of society, of displacement and home.
There’s no denying it’s a beautiful little gallery.
There’s a cute reading corner with beautiful books, illustrating life in Chile and beyond.
Alas, it wasn’t really for my kids. The purported aim of the gallery is for children to foster links with art and culture, to experience art up close and develop their curiosity.
Yet, unfortunately the art work is fiercely guarded by a fat, white line and very much off limits.
My children couldn’t see in the boxes on the wall and they soon grew tired of trying to look.
They even had to wear special overshoes.
Thankfully there’s another exhibition downstairs, which is much better for children. It’s called the interactive zone, and it’s great.
There’s a wavy mirror room…
a mirror puzzle maker…
a rhythm and colour music making machine…
and a magnetic wall for building crazy shapes.
The building is so impressive, it’s worth a visit just for the architecture.
If you visit on a morning, like we did, chances are you’ll have the place to yourselves. Plenty of space for zooming up the ramps, and plenty of space to take a breather, too.
My children got a little too boisterous and we had to leave rather quickly. However, if you have calmer offspring, or you’re visiting without kids, then do check out the main temporary exhibition. Right now, it’s work from Asia, Australia and the Pacific.
Need to know:
There are lifts and ramps aplenty, so it’s fine for buggies and wheelchairs.
There are a few cafes inside, with plenty of food options.
I hate driving and parking in this area; it’s much easier on the metro. Nearest stop is La Moneda.
Entrance is free apart from the main temporary exhibition ($3,000 for adults, $1,500 for students and old age pensioners, children under 12 go free). This exhibition is also free from 3pm.
At 10.30am on specific days (check the website) you can see the changing of the guard at the adjacent palace.
Monday – Sunday 9am – 9pm. Exhibitions from 9.30am – 7.30pm. Plaza de la Cuidadania 26, Santiago, Chile. ccplm.cl
