Belfast's MAC (Metropolitan Arts Centre) in the Cathedral Quarter, a complete architectural gem!

54 года назад

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In this film we walk down a little alleyway taking us into St Anne’s Square, an Italian style piazza which forms part the regeneration of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter where we find the MAC, (Metropolitan Arts Centre). We enter through Exchange Street West on the other side of the building, the side entrance.

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The MAC opened in 2012 and was shortlisted for a museum of the year prize in 2014.

We enter into the restaurant/bar area that serves as the social area before and after the many events that the MAC hosts in its two theatres, its galleries, and other performance areas. Even on the ground floor there’s a little multimedia room tucked away, typical of the unusual footprint of the building. The building sits on a trapezium shaped site, which must have been a challenge for the architects, but the unusual layout only adds to the place’s uniqueness. It’s not surprising that the building has won a number of architectural awards.

As we move up to the first floor, there are entrances here to 2 theatres one 120 seater and another larger 350 seater double height space. These are called the Upstairs and Downstairs respectively, the later taking its name as the main entrance is on the ground floor.

The rainbow-like art piece in the void of the foyer is called 'The Permanent Present', by Irish Artist Mark Garry. What you’re looking at are 400 individual copper strands in a spectrum of colours. The artist is quoted as saying that he wanted to create a work that was positive and hopeful.

As we move up to the 2nd floor, we see more informal places where you can hold your meetings or exhibitions, but the MAC is also headquarters to some of Belfast’s Cultural organisations, so there is dedicated office spaces here as well, and more little snugs, where you can meet informally.

On the 3rd floor there’s a beautiful vista out onto the St Anne’s Square piazza.

I guess this is what we call a cultural hub in that people can come here and plan their creative projects, either formally by booking some of the meeting spaces that are available to hire, or just to hang out in the various areas that are available for coffee or snacks.

The main gallery areas run off this floor too. These spaces host exhibitions of Irish and International artworks all year. And at the bottom of this gallery, we have a beautiful view of the cathedral.

The Upper gallery is right opposite and just up a few steps.

Visit the mac:
https://themaclive.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Arts_Centre

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