Danubiana, Meulensteen Art Museum, Contemporary art museum on Danube River peninsula in Senec, Slovakia.
Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum is an art museum on a peninsula in the Danube River, presenting international contemporary artworks. The building itself has the shape of a Roman war vessel and houses multiple exhibition spaces along with a large sculpture park.
The museum opened on 9 September 2000, initiated by Slovak gallerist Vincent Polakovič with financial backing from Dutch collector and entrepreneur Gerard Meulensteen. Architect Peter Žalman realised the founders' idea of a ship propelled by oars, expressed in an oval building 50 m long, 20 m wide and up to 12 m high. A large reconstruction and extension, supported by the Slovak government, opened in September 2014.
The museum's name combines Danubiana with that of Dutch collector Gerard Meulensteen, who funded Vincent Polakovič's initiative. Architect Peter Žalman realised the founders' idea of a ship moved by oars that bridges distant countries and cultures. In May 2007 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands visited during a state visit.
The museum stands on the peninsula-shaped end of a dam on the Gabčíkovo reservoir, about 15 km from Bratislava city centre near Čunovo. Visitors can walk on part of the roof, where the view takes in Bratislava, the Small Carpathians and the Danube. Allow time for the roughly 8,000 m² sculpture garden around the building.
The building extends partly into the river water and creates the illusion of a ship anchored between the Danube and Small Danube. This architectural trick makes a visit a visual experience that blurs the boundary between artwork and nature.
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