The highlights of culture in 2024, according to Time Out Buenos Aires

In October, the City of Buenos Aires celebrated its first-ever Design and Architecture Month with a full agenda of events. Every corner of the city was alive with proposals designed to discover, inspire, and connect designers, architects, and the general public. Each intervened space—whether public or private—was transformed into a kind of creative laboratory showcasing trends and innovative concepts, reinforcing Buenos Aires as a hub for design in Latin America.

With a strong focus on improving quality of life, this event aimed to position Buenos Aires as an international leader in design and architecture—and it succeeded! Some of the most prominent events during Design and Architecture Month included: the 19th International Architecture Biennale of Buenos Aires, the 40th Edition of Casa FOA, the 9th DArA ID Edition, Distrito Arenales, the Pop-Up of Puro Diseño Fair, and design circuits guided through neighborhoods like Palermo and Villa Crespo, among others.

With the highest-ever Argentine presence and a Latin American curator for the first time, the 60th International Venice Biennale broke away from the classic white European heteronormative frameworks by showcasing non-hegemonic agents, sexualities, and countries.

La Chola Poblete, who describes herself as "the first trans and brown artist from Argentina," was one of the artists selected by Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa to participate in one of the Biennale exhibitions. Her participation was not overlooked and was recognized with an honorary mention, making her the first trans artist to be distinguished at the Venice Biennale. Read the full interview with La Chola Poblete here.

Also of interest: Tapiz Museum in Mendoza, a unique treasure of looms in the world

With her award-winning piece "Acuarelas Místicas," the Mendoza-born artist connects queer imagery to ancestral traditions through a critical and trans/indigenous perspective. La Chola Poblete not only made history but also set a precedent for the future of art and transgender artists.

Undoubtedly, the album release of the year. Argentina's greatest rock icon used the COVID-19 pandemic to compose new songs and shape old ideas he had accumulated over the years. The result is an exceptional work full of self-references to the best of his career—from reviving an unreleased Sui Generis track to reusing the melody of “Chipi Chipi”—and nods to his idols, especially The Beatles.

Among the star guests are longtime friends such as Fito Páez, Pedro Aznar, Hilda Lizarazu, and David Lebón, but the most emotional moment is his reworking of “La Pelícana y el Androide,” a song composed by Luis Alberto Spinetta for the album they tried to record together in the '80s. Charly García took a demo with El Flaco’s voice and brought it into the 21st century.

Fact: The concept of the album is inspired by the fable of the scorpion and the frog, while the cover art was created by artist Renata Schussheim. A limited vinyl edition deserves a place in any music lover's collection.

Grupo Bondi, formed by industrial designers Iván López Prystajko and Eugenio Gómez Llambi, opened their "Hiperpintura" exhibition in July.

This explosive collection of experimental furniture is made using an innovative technique: layers of oven-baked powder paint transformed into moldable structures. The result? Works that mix art, design, and technology, blending the industrial with the artisanal. This level of experimentation positioned Grupo Bondi as a leading figure in contemporary design.

The exhibition was part of the debut of Saatchi Gallery, the first and only gallery in Argentina exclusively dedicated to collectible design. Directed by Sandra T. Hillar and Wustavo Quiroga, this space aims to place local design on the global map.

"Hiperpintura" is a testament to the talent, innovation, and creativity of Argentine design. Being part of Saatchi Gallery's debut helps solidify the country as a relevant player in the design field.

In 12 episodes, this hilarious comedy written by Carolina Aguirre (Guapas, Farsantes, Cita a Ciegas) and directed by Gabriel Medina (Los Paranoicos, La Araña Vampiro) allowed Griselda Siciliani to once again showcase her comedic talents as she played Vicky, a woman in crisis approaching 40. She showed us the difference between envy and jealousy—because everything she envied was what her friends had—but also explored pure, sincere friendship and love.

Humor and irony abound in this series, which became a phenomenon, and Siciliani always had great faith in it "because it has a lot of humor and humor with all the little crap we all have," she explains. "Envidiosa also has something very sensitive and true about human relationships, love, and family bonds," she clarifies about the show's success, which quickly became one of the most-watched on Netflix and widely discussed on social media, creating a unique identification with its viewers.

Fact: Due to the success of the first season, the new season will premiere in February with more adventures of this antiheroine we love.

Where: Netflix.

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso proved that trap continues to evolve, while also being able to laugh at itself and be fun. These two talented artists had been making waves since 2018 with their singles while each developed their solo careers. This year, they released their first album together, Baño María, which caused a revolution worldwide.

First, they held a listening party at Lollapalooza in March, bringing a jacuzzi on stage and playing the album without singing a note. In August, they gave an unforgettable show at Movistar Arena with the presence of Lali, which has now been released on digital platforms.

In October, they adapted their music with innovative jazz and soul arrangements for the famous Tiny Desk Concerts by NPR in the United States. Their eccentric performance went viral and earned worldwide admiration. In fact, they have already confirmed a tour of the United States and Europe, including a performance at the prestigious Coachella Festival on April 11 and 18, 2025, the same days as Lady Gaga's closing set.

Fact: Baño María features two star guests: Lali and Tini.

Melisa Zulberti is the first Argentine artist to be selected for the international call of the Venice Dance Biennale, held in April and November, to premiere and represent Argentina with her original project: Posguerra.

Zulberti has been researching the intersection between performance, visual arts, industrial design, and technology since 2017, fields she explores in each of her creations.

Posguerra was not only presented at the Venice Biennale but also landed in Argentina in October as part of the FIBA - International Buenos Aires Festival, with sold-out performances.

Fact: Melisa was named "Outstanding Personality of Art and Culture" by the Tandil City Council (her hometown), in recognition of her career and her role as an ambassador for Argentina worldwide.

Where: Venice Biennale, FIBA.

With a combination of transgression, originality, and freshness, Olga, led by Migue Granados, became the streaming favorite for audiences. In 2024, Granados worked with a staff of fresh and eloquent hosts like Damián Betular, Nati Jota, Eial Moldavsky, Tefi Russo, and Yayo Guaridi.

Whether through Caro Pardíaco or an unfiltered interview with Lionel Messi, these were just some of the secrets behind the success of a show that managed to attract different generations with specials like Cris Morena Day, Charly Day, and Spinetta Day, among other tributes to major showbiz stars.

"We're very proud because this year we were able to produce on a large scale, like TV used to do, with the support of many brands. I don't know if everyone talked about us, but the people who took the time to get to know us loved us and chose us because we're so disconnected from reality, in the nonsense, that we do what entertains and interests us. That’s the spirit of Olga," says Migue Granados to Time Out. They start 2025 live from Mar del Plata.

Fact: La Cruda, the podcast produced by Olga, was the most listened to in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. The channel is followed by over 5.5 million people across social media and YouTube.

The Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires declared 2024 the "Cortázar Year" to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of the renowned writer. In his honor, readings, exhibitions, performances, film cycles, concerts, publications, and more were organized.

Among the highlighted events, the Recoleta Cultural Center is hosting the exhibition "Comienzo del juego" until March 23, which explores Cortázar’s life and stories in the only way possible: through playfulness. The exhibition is taken to such a level that there is even a maze where visitors can freely appreciate works by 25 visual artists related to Hopscotch (Rayuela).

Fun fact: the exhibition includes never-before-seen photos and personal objects of Cortázar, as well as drawings by his hand.

Where: Recoleta Cultural Center.

We could say that 2024 marked a turning point in the world of Argentine illustration. A new generation of young artists emerged with force, taking national talent to new heights.

The combination of social media, art fairs, and strategic collaborations allowed many illustrators to showcase their talent. This boom also reaffirmed the position of illustration as a vital and transformative art form.

Also of interest: Agus Minuto, the young "artist of colors" who exports her works worldwide

One example is Pilar Dibujito (behind the account is Pilar Veiga), who became a viral and popular illustrator with the creation of the "Escudo Universitario Federal" during the university march in April. The illustration became an icon of this struggle and exploded on social media. In fact, it was chosen by the Argentine Postal Service to design the 2024 Christmas stamp.

Agus Minuto, another young illustrator, has expressed deep emotions in works exploring daily life, love, and loneliness in the digital era, earning recognition in exhibitions. Agus also designed the map for the 1st Edition of the Time Out Experience by Imperial.

We would also like to highlight Juan Dellacha. His works are versatile and full of energy, design, and personality. He mainly works in the editorial field, making each article, essay, or cover have a unique identity, using color and composition surgically to create scenes that tell stories and captivate at first sight.

With a different approach, another illustrator making waves is Maro Margulis. His works are vibrant and colorful, with neon tones taking center stage. His approach goes beyond the visual: he aims for each project to tell a story and evoke unique emotions.

The first edition of the Feed Dog Festival - Fashion on The Big Screen - which brought the best of cinema and fashion from September 27 to 30 at the Atlas Alcorta cinema, allowed audiences to explore the behind-the-scenes stories and biographies of those who created essential garments for daily life, such as the miniskirt.

The name of the exhibition comes from a small piece - "feed dog" - that moves the fabric under the sewing machine, guiding each stitch precisely, and it perfectly paired fashion workshops and talks with cinema.

Marie La Rocca, director of Feed Dog Argentina, tells Time Out that for the next edition in 2025, "many producers approached to see if they could present their material, opening up a cultural exchange with the festival's headquarters, which promises to be very interesting."

Also of interest: This week’s movie premieres

The festival presented films like Mi última condena, about the story of the dressmaker, designer, dancer, writer, and entrepreneur Ana de Pombo, and Quant, about the revolutionary fashion designer Mary Quant. These and other films showcased a common denominator: they all highlighted the perseverance and passion of women who broke into the world to change paradigms, create styles, and set trends.

Fun fact: The festival originated in Barcelona, where it is already in its eighth edition, and has expanded to cities like São Paulo, Brasília, Mexico City, and Madrid.

Written by Salomé Lelouch, directed by Claudio Tolcachir, and starring Mercedes Morán and Imanol Arias - two powerhouse actors who shared the stage together for the first time - Better Not Say It tells the story of a marriage that is harmonious and loving, but comes into conflict when one of them says something that might have been "better not said." Read our review of the play here.

The wooden set, with hidden compartments, provided the ideal backdrop for this masterclass in acting, which 70,000 spectators applauded at the Pablo Neruda Hall of Paseo La Plaza during the six weeks the play was presented in Buenos Aires.

"I think the identification was immediate because the topics discussed are the same ones we talk about with children, partners, parents, and friends," explains Mercedes Morán to Time Out. The protagonist of Camila adds, "This piece is very accessible and, for us, also extremely technical because our art is about the ability to listen and be listened to with delight, and this piece is very rich for that."

Fun fact: Better Not Say It has been presented in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and will be performed in Spain in 2025.

Argentine writer Magalí Etchebarne won the Ribera del Duero Short Story Award in Spain with the anthology La vida por delante, which led to its publication with the Páginas de Espuma press and a personal congratulations from Mariana Enríquez, who chaired the jury.

This book - her third - made waves in 2024. It features four short stories in which Etchebarne narrates, with exquisite prose filled with significant phrases, the lives of women facing the passage of time, family conflicts, and relationship issues.

Fun fact: "There is no stance or solemnity in her writing. She finds humor in tragedy and understands sadness with both rage and tenderness. Her style is pure freshness and intelligence," said Enríquez about Etchebarne.

First came the family movie starring Jack Black, followed by a Broadway musical, and this year, one of the biggest hits on Buenos Aires' Calle Corrientes with careful direction by Ariel Del Mastro and incredible performances by Agustín "Soy Rada" Aristarán, Ángela Leiva, Sofía Pachano, and Santiago Otero Ramos, accompanied by a cast of 39 children aged 9 to 16 who shone, a live band of seven musicians, and twelve talented artists.

A superb sound production and set design allowed for seamless transitions between locations: the school - where the protagonist arrives by deceiving everyone - his home, and the bar. With four producers behind it and an unprecedented production, School of Rock became the ideal family outing during late June and all of July, offering music and values on stage. It triumphed with 7 Hugo Awards, and after its success, it left the stage for another great production in 2025: The Little Mermaid.

Fun fact: Before the pandemic, Migue Granados was confirmed as the lead, but ultimately Aristarán took the role. The show was viewed by 80,000 spectators during its six-week run at the Gran Rex Theatre.

Rapsodia, a brand that is among the best in the country and revolutionized fashion with its embroidered jeans with wings, turned 25 years old. Yes! Over two decades in the fashion world. A milestone to highlight, especially in a country like Argentina, where staying relevant for so long can be a challenge.

Founded in 1999 by Sol Acuña and Josefina Helguera, it made its mark on Argentine fashion with its bohemian and feminine style. From the outset, Rapsodia stood out for its original and colorful designs, right at a time when everything else was more minimalist and serious.

Over the years, the brand has solidified its place as a reference in Latin America, expanding to countries like Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and Colombia. It also reinvented itself and diversified its offerings, adding lines like Rapsodia Home, Rapsodia Intimates, and Rapsodia Girls. But let’s be clear: it always maintained its classic essence, blending ethnic and vintage influences with a contemporary twist. And this is likely what made Rapsodia an icon.

To celebrate this milestone, a special dinner party was held at the beginning of BAFWEEK in August. Guests were able to relive the brand’s history through an exhibition of 25 mannequins showcasing the most iconic looks of the brand. It was like a true time-travel experience to celebrate Rapsodia’s legacy.