We joined a tour from the Sojourn to drive through Bilbao and visit the Guggenheim Museum. According to our guide, Bilbao, which is situated on the northern coast of Spain, is the largest city in the Basque country and the 10th largest city in Spain. For many years, it depended on iron mining and was heavily industrialized. Today it is going through a revitalization that began with the construction of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and continues.
I thought the city, at least the parts we could see, was beautiful. On May 19, 2010, the city was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, by the City State of Singapore. The award is considered the Nobel Prize for urbanism. On November 8, 2017 Bilbao was chosen the best European City of 2018 at the Urbanism Awards of 2018. It’s definitely a city I would return to and if you have an opportunity to visit, do it. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
But our destination was the Guggenheim and I was excited to see the building designed by architect Frank Gehry. I’ve seen it in photos and movies and now I was going to see it in person. So, without further ado, let’s step out of the bus and take in the unconventional and magnificent exterior.
It’s difficult to capture this iconic building in one photo but I think the first picture does it some justice. I will have a few more for your consideration toward the end of this post. Also, just in case you forgot, I am a great James Bond movie aficionado and the Guggenheim Bilbao was featured in the opening of “The World Is Not Enough” with Pierce Brosnan.
Then, tickets were distributed and we were on the inside, looking out. There is a great deal of structural metal inside as part of the visual design.
A window overlooking the city.
A staircase.
Not all is metal. And yet, it prevails.
Upon entering we were treated to a video montage showing the development of the museum. I captured a few of the photos and present them here in no particular order.
Then, onto the galleries. Bear in mind as you make your way that the Guggenheim features modern and contemporary art. We found much of it, not all, very interesting. I hope you enjoy the art that I have chosen. My presentation is merely an appetizer to the wonderful collection that is the Guggenheim Bilbao. Where possible, I will identify the artist. A photo without ID means I am not certain who the artist is. Enjoy!
Yashitomo Nara
El Anatsui
A word about the fabric. It is made from discarded liquor bottle tops. The artist, along with a team of studio assistants, flattened, twisted, crushed and then stitched the elements together with copper wire to make the fabric. The process took almost a year to complete. The name of the work is “Rising Sea.”
We loved this plant which JoAnn named “Audrey, Jr.” after the plant in Little Shop of Horrors and then we broke out in song, “Suddenly Seymour, . . .”
William De Kooning
Mark Rothko
Robert Rauschenberg
Unknown artist
Edward Chillida
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Martha Jungwirth
Two photos; you could title them, “Totally Absorbed,” each a study. A couple of my favorites.
And now, the painting that was so absorbing. Sorry, I don’t know the artist.
Just a few more that we liked. Notice the shoes in the next painting? What else do you see? The more we look at it the more we see; we just discovered the face of a small dog on the right side and we both see a sitting dog, or maybe a cat, on the left. Just look at the red nose and everything will come into focus.
Use your imagination. What do you see, a face, a mask or what. I love the vibrant colors.
And the final two pieces from inside the Guggenheim.
As we left the museum, I took this photo of a flower dog standing sentinel outside.
And two parting shots of the Guggenheim.
Such a wonderful experience that you were able to see this in person. The pictures are truly breathtaking and the commentary you provide is wonderful. Just beautiful!!
Barbara, you are a great follower of my blog. Thanks.