MAXIMO LAURA MUSEUM
Museum, exhibition space, photo courtesy © Museo Maximo Laura
Despite the global health emergency linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, Museums and international public and private Cultural Institutions are continuing their work to spread, promote and support the arts and culture, waiting to ensure the reopening of the sites in complete safety for visitors and operators.
The Maximo Laura Museum is for the moment closed to the public, but continues its activity incessantly through constant updates, multimedia testimonials and virtual tours.
“Virtual Tours: Creator’s Room”, Video produced by © Museo Maximo Laura, Music: Fire Spirit by Tito La Rosa
The Museum’s history
In 1984 Maximo Laura began collecting and preserving some of his tapestries. In 1998 he began the construction of the Laura house / workshop, a multi-storey building located in Lima, where the artist’s private collection is on permanent display. This building became the first museum dedicated to contemporary Peruvian tapestry and is the current main site of the MML – Maximo Laura Museum.
Museum, exhibition space, photo courtesy © Museo Maximo Laura
In 2013, Master Laura founded the Maximo Laura Museum, Cusco. The museum is housed next to the house / studio / museum of the artist CusqueñoEdilberto Merida Rodriguez, located in the traditional craft district of old Cusco called San Blas. San Blas is part of the historic center of the city of Cusco, declared “Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 1983 for antiquity and heritage.
The Collection
The MML Lima collection currently consists of over 200 tapestries, 2500 drawings and paintings, more than 10,000 photographs, numerous sketches, as well as a vast bibliography of books, magazines, newspapers, personal writings, interviews, catalogues and multimedia material by the artist Maximo Laura.
The museum hosts a permanent exhibition of 42 works, some of the most important pieces made so far by the artist during his career. It is one of the largest and most representative collections of contemporary Peruvian textile art ever.
Virtual Tour of the Inca Room”, Maximo Laura Museum, Cusco. Vídeoproducedby © Museo Maximo Laura | Música: Tito La Rosa 2020
The MML shares its collection with institutions, textile centers, weavers and textile artists interested in studying and/or researching the Master’s techniques and works. In addition, MML collaborates with the art communities by offering educational programs such as internships and an artist residency program.
“Alabanzas Sagradas en la Jungla”, 180 x 303 cm, Maximo Laura Museum Collection, © Maximo Laura Museum
“Canto a la Tierra II”, 190 x 122 cm, Maximo Laura Museum Collection, © Maximo Laura Museum
A series of smaller tapestries are currently on display at the Cuzco Museum, the pieces do not exceed 100 square inches and are prepared exclusively for international textile art competitions.
“The Mystics Dreams”, 13.4 x 42 cm, Miniature Tapestry Collection, © Maximo Laura Museum
“Visiones Cosmicas”, 20 x 35.5 cm, Miniature Tapestry Collection© Maximo Laura Museum
There are many photographic testimonies on the website documenting the weaving process:
“The process of weaving can take from two weeks to many months depending on the size and complexity of thework. When the weaving is done I hang the final product up for viewing. It is a long and slow process that requires infinite patience and for me an obsessive attention to color and detail.” (Maximo Laura)
Weaving process, Collection© Maximo Laura Museum
Finally, there is a section on the museum website dedicated to the sale of the works.
“Sunset en Galapagos”, 100 x 210 cm (39 x 82 in), © Maximo Laura Museum
HEADQUARTER
Maximo Laura Museum
Santa Catalina Ancha 304, Cusco
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
FREE ENTRANCE
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