奥利文惠斯美术馆(Oliewenhuis Art Museum)位于南非布隆方丹(Bloemfontein)的格兰特山丘上。这里最初并不是为了展览艺术而建,而是作为南非总督和国家总统的官邸。这座建筑在 1941 年竣工,拥有典型的荷兰新古典主义风格,其名称来源于周边山坡上茂密的野生橄榄树。1985 年,这里从政治权力中心转型为文化殿堂,并于 1989 年正式对外开放。如今,它占地约 12 公顷,是南非自由州省(Free State)唯一的一所大型美术馆,也是南非最年轻的艺术博物馆之一。
这座建筑见证过南非历史的起伏。1947 年,英国国王乔治六世携家眷访问布隆方丹时,就曾下榻于此。建筑的设计由当时的公共工程部首席建筑师威廉·莫里森(William Mollison)及其助手约翰·斯托温·克莱兰(John Stockwing Cleland)担纲。走进主楼,你会发现内部空间虽已改造为展厅,但依然保留了官邸时代的优雅格局和庄重氛围。
整座美术馆被广阔的自然植被包围,这在干旱的自由州省显得尤为珍贵。园内分布着 16 处雕塑,它们与当地的原始景观融为一体。这里不仅是看画的地方,更是当地居民野餐的热门去处。需要注意的是,如果你打算在草坪上野餐,虽然无需额外买门票,但人数超过 20 人的团体必须提前向馆方申请,且现场严禁生火或使用燃气灶具。
在美术馆的草坪下方,藏着一个叫作“水库”(The Reservoir)的展厅。这里原本是一个废弃的地下储水库,后来被改造成了一个充满工业美感的艺术空间。由于地下环境阴凉幽暗,非常适合举办一些多媒体艺术或对光照敏感的特展。踩在木制栈道上,感受地下空间的回响,这种体验在南非其他美术馆很难找到。
在室外展区,最受孩子们欢迎的是“非洲旋转木马”(African Carousel)。这不仅仅是一个游乐设施,更是一件集合了多位南非艺术家心血的功能性艺术品。它巧妙地将欧洲传统文化与非洲本土意象结合在一起,寓意着南非社会的多元文化融合。骑乘旋转木马需要支付大约 5 兰特的费用,票在主楼入口处的接待处购买。
馆内的露台餐厅(The Terrace)是布隆方丹小有名气的下午茶地点。建议选一个阳光明媚的下午,坐在户外遮阳伞下,点一份当地特色的司康饼和红茶。比起市中心的喧嚣,这里的环境非常安静。餐厅提供的餐点分量通常比较实在,价格也比开普敦等旅游热门城市要亲民不少。
美术馆本身不收门票,无论是参观常设展还是临时展览都是免费的。不过,自驾前往的游客需要支付 10 兰特左右的停车费,且仅支持现金支付。开放时间通常是周一至周五 08:00 到 17:00,周末及公假日则是 09:00 到 16:00。建议至少留出 2 到 3 小时的游览时间,因为这里的常设馆藏涵盖了从皮尔尼夫(Pierneef)到肯特里奇(Kentridge)等南非顶尖艺术家的作品。
进入主建筑参观常设展览和临时特展,以及在外部花园散步都是免费的。只有停车费和部分互动性艺术设施(如旋转木马)会收取象征性费用,停车费约为 10 兰特,旋转木马约 5 兰特,均建议准备好零钱现金。
地下水库展厅(The Reservoir)并非全年随时开放,通常只在有特定大型特展时才会启动。由于地下空间较为封闭且温湿度受控,参观时禁止携带任何食品饮料进入,且摄影规则可能比主馆更为严格,建议入口处查看当季指示。
除了最具代表性的非洲旋转木马外,花园内还有多条适合步行的自然小径。馆内的教育部门不定期会举办针对学龄前和学龄儿童的艺术工坊,费用非常低廉。此外,12 公顷的绿地非常开阔,适合消耗孩子的精力,但请看管好孩子,不要触摸那些非功能性的雕塑作品。
Luhle Shange Saw a well curated exhibition here a few weeks ago, very knowledgeable and personable young Man TK should us around aswell. Top top experience that I didn't expect. We'll done to the curators and artists exhibiting aswell. Exciting pieces, great works of varying techniques.
Leo Phelan Beautiful place with absolutely gorgeous art. Brought my kids with me and they had a cool scavenger hunt activity for them to do. My only complaint would be the lack of baja blast at the vending machines. My other only complaint would be the abundance of hooligans. Thugs should not have the privilege to view this divine art. If only the south africa police could control them.... also one of the thugs spit on my poor child so that's Not good. OOH yeah That reminds me they had this super cool giant toilet statue and you could climb up it and into the toilet and they had this super intricate and detailed sewage system and in the sewer they had a thug club where thugs could stay but the thugs wouldn't go there because it's hard to find, so PLEASE. add a sign that Says "Thug Club in the toilet statue sewers" at the entrance of the building 👷♂️ thank you
Binnie JSE Best museum I've ever set eyes on Clean, safe and good hospitality. Informative in past and present factors. Giving slot to individuals to showcase their art Hiking trail and picnic to top it all⭐
Elizabeth Carr An amazing experience! The museum is really amazing and the gardens are stunning, it's the perfect place to have a picnic. The entrance is free.
ZI Pearl M The place is worth visiting. To appreciate the work of others and unwind outside, while enjoying the view of outside sculptures and the feeling of outdoors. The place could really use a restaurant or at least a cafe because, after exploring different parts of the museum personally I was worn out and needed a drink or something sweet to recharge. What I've noticed about the museum is that they give people an opportunity showcase their craft, if that is not the reason then I suppose they can do better because some pieces weren't all that if you understand what I mean. The best highlight for me was the section for blind people, yes if you have a blind friend(s) or a family member who appreciates art, then allow them to tag along! Fyi: there are cats and the ones at the back love attention #smiles