These museums offer visitors a diverse range of experiences, from exploring the creation story of the Museum of Islamic Art to walking the elevated walkways of Benjakitti Forest Park.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales, which first opened 150 years ago and has mainly displayed European artworks, has undergone significant redevelopment and expansion. The Art Gallery of New South Wales has almost doubled in size, thanks to the Sydney Modern Project designed by the Japanese architecture firm SANAA. The project includes a stand-alone building, the Yiribana Gallery, dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
The Doha Museum of Islamic Art was created by the renowned architect I. M. Pei. After an extensive enhancement project, the museum’s interior spaces have been revamped, showcasing galleries spanning 1,400 years of history. The newly renovated museum features reimagined galleries, new visitor trails, and child-friendly resources, as well as over 1,000 newly preserved or acquired objects that have never been showcased before. Additionally, a new gallery has been added to the museum, which tells the story of the building’s creation.
The Design Museum Denmark has reopened its doors after a two-year renovation, preserving Ivar Bentsen and Kaare Klint’s legacy. The museum’s displays include historical collections alongside exhibitions that address contemporary global challenges like climate change. The museum’s courtyard garden, with its linden trees and sculptures, and its gift shop, packed with books and ceramics, are a must-visit.
The Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, Norway, recently reopened after closing in 2019. The museum houses the collections of the former National Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design under one roof. The collection primarily emphasizes Norwegian art, including works by famous artist Edvard Munch, as well as traditional and modern works by indigenous Sámi artists. The museum also includes a sprawling Light Hall, which features temporary exhibits by international artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Nan Goldin.
The Museum of Broadway provides visitors with an opportunity to go behind the scenes and experience the world of Broadway shows. Visitors can explore the original costumes from well-known movies like The Lion King and RENT, as well as take selfies in the dressing room of the Ziegeld Follies and sit on cabaret chairs. However, the highlight of the museum is the backstage tour, which takes visitors from the stage door, past props and sandbags, all the way to center stage.
Benjakitti Forest Park is a new addition to Bangkok’s green spaces. The park spans over 100 acres and is made up of tropical trees, lotus-dotted lakes, and wetlands populated by egrets. The park is part of the ‘Green Bangkok 2030’ initiative, which aims to bring more green spaces to the city. As Bangkok is known for its lack of greenery, the park is a welcome addition to the urban landscape.
