When you go to an art museum, you might automatically think that there will be exhibits such as paintings, sculptures, or ceramics, right?  Well, as of late there has been one other type of art that is becoming increasingly popular among art critics: film.  Also known as artist films, “expanded cinema”, or “cinema of exhibition”, these moving image-based productions are creating a genre of art to themselves.  These films are no longer restricted to the classic style that you may see in Hollywood movies, as the filmmakers are able to experiment with times and formats beyond previous limits.  With the integration of artist films into museums, they are not only able to use this open practice but also have meanings behind them that would resonate with the viewers.

Luckily for all of you art critics, enthusiasts, and admirers out there who are interested in where artist films are at today, Barcelona has the perfect event for you: LOOP Barcelona 2016.  Portraying a number of various films, LOOP aims to examine the overlay of art and cinema through different types of visual arts, and how distinctive elements of cinema can change the perspective or interpretations of viewers.  With the presentation of almost 30 exhibitions, as well as many more activities at art galleries all around Barcelona, there is certainly something of interest for everyone.  Interested in the tons of things to do for this festival?  Here’s a full itinerary with locations and times of each exhibition, as well as talks, workshops, professional meetings, and more.

Within the LOOP Festival lies a smaller but just as important event: the LOOP Fair.  Due to its unique model where films and artists that might otherwise be ignored at other fairs are put in the spotlight, LOOP Fair is incredibly unique.  In addition, it is definitely not lacking in material; the fair has almost 50 vastly different films playing.  In its 14^th edition, this June 2-4 the LOOP Fair is seen as a place of discovery for the more than 4,000 international visitors and specialists who attend.  The LOOP Fair is located at Carrer Pelai 28, 08001 Barcelona

This year’s LOOP Festival is from May 26-June 10, so there’s already a ton of stuff going on! If you’d like more information on the festival, or LOOP and its mission in general, visit their official website.