The Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro a Mallorca (FPJM), lying to the west of central Palma, occupies an elevated sloping plot of land and contains three interesting buildings and gardens that contain art works by Joan Miro.
Even if you are not especially keen to see some of Joan Miro's artwork the architecture, gardens and cafe alone make a visit worthwhile.
My favourite building was the Sert workshop (photo above) designed by Miro's friend and architect Josep Lluis Sert in 1956.
Entering the building you can view works in progress and materials in the large room which has a balcony level on one side.
A smaller room has an exhibition area with a wooden trunk used by Sert to send a model of the building to Miro. These items and large photographs of Joan Miro (R) and J L Sert (L) are pictured in the photo above.
Entrance tickets are purchased at the counter inside the Foundation's headquarters - the Moneo building - designed by the architect Rafael Moneo and inaugurated in 1992. The 6 euro ticket is subject to various concessions and holders of an Art Fund / National Art Pass may be able to secure a discretionary discount.
The Moneo building has angular shapes and the horizontal sunshades forming part of the concrete structure also serve to create reflections from the external pools of shimmering lines of light visible internally through marble 'windows'. The murky water of the pools is home to a variety of small turtles and large fish that are visible when close to the surface.
The fragmented space inside the building includes part of the Foundation's collection of sculptures, paintings and prints (some of which are exhibited next to the plates used to print them, as in photo above).
It was permitted to take photographs without the use of flash equipment and as there were only a few people visiting it was possible to do this without causing a nuisance for others.
The cafe at the far end of the Moneo building has a tiled wall on one side and windows on the full width of the frontage.
Visitors can also take their refreshments outside where there are tables on a patio overlooking the gardens.
The third building is a Mallorcan style house on the Son Boter estate, bought by Miro in 1959 with the intention of having a second painting and sculpture studio. Look out for the small relief on the wall to the right of the entrance door - a nativity scene (not by Miro).
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The FPJM is closed on Mondays.
The Palma - Illetes bus #3 runs quite close to the FPJM and is a frequent service. In 2013 the single bus fare is 1.50 euro. The FPJM is not far from the beach - Cala Major. This beach has a bar, showers and WC.
FPJM website link
Tel. 34 971701420
Fax. 34 971702102
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró a Mallorca
C. de Saridakis, 29
07015 Palma - Illes Balears
Spain
