In the rapidly urbanizing society of Ulaanbaatar City there are several art galleries – both private and government-supported – that represent the modernization as well as the conservation of the traditional folk art of Mongolia. How does anything get better than a tasty mixture of eccentric nomadic culture, rich history with a sprinkle of modern-day influence?
Many art galleries dedicate their work to supporting and promoting new contemporary artists and exhibiting classic works, while providing ordinary people with the simple, yet luxurious privilege of enjoying the modern Mongolian visual arts (paintings, carvings, sculptures, etc.). The visual art exhibiting institutions in Ulaanbaatar have legions of works including ones that transcend viewers from the present time to, for instance, the communist years or the revolution days. Considering the evolution of this country already being an intriguing one, the masterpieces interpreting it just have got to be beyond any expectations.
Some of the most respected ones are:
Mongolian National Modern Art Gallery
The gallery houses Mongolia’s most famous classic and modern art pieces since the socialist past. The gallery’s recent contemporary exhibitions have included a joint Mongolian-French exhibition, Nomadic Spirit in Ulaanbaatar, featuring French photographer Tim Desgraupes, which explored Mongolia’s evolving culture and people, juxtaposed with the rapid urban development of the capital city. Another recent exhibition, Nano World, mixed art with science, aiming to demonstrate the importance of nanotechnology through the medium of art.
The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum
The building was erected in 1905 by a Russian merchant, it was one of the first buildings designed in a European style and became a Russian military station in 1921. The museum hosts original Buddhist sculptures, tanks and other religious arts By Under Gegeen Zanabazar who was descendent of Chinggis Khan. Famous sculptures include Green Tara, Maitrya and Golden stupas, which all casted and gilded. Zanabazar’s art is renowned worldwide and often equated with European renaissance art by Michael Angelo.
976 Art Gallery
In late 2013, 976 Art Gallery achieved an important milestone when it displayed a collection of artworks by modern European and American masters, including Salvador Dali and Walter Womacka – the first exhibition of its kind in Mongolia. For more information, please visit at www.976artgallery.com.
