Since opening in 1997, Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum has attracted millions of tourists to a city once known mostly for its industrial importance in northern Spain. Gehry's museum, the focal point of a trip to Bilbao for many has prompted visitors to explore the city further and better understand how the two unite for the sake of art and bringing Bilbao back to life.
Gehry's Vision and Design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain
Although Gehry's modern structure, used in filming for the James Bond movie, The World is Not Enough, may seem slightly out of place in a region where the population is proud to preserve Basque culture, the Guggenheim museum is barely visible from the streets when approaching from the city center. The museum is positioned on a slope so that it looks onto the Nervión River; its location is not accidental, but aims to showcase elements of nature.
While inside, Gehry wants the visitor to feel simultaneously connected with the outdoors, having the opportunity to gaze at the river and the trees on the opposite slope. Entire walls of glass windows surround the central gathering hall in the museum for this purpose. Some artists even design their pieces with the Guggenheim's structure in mind.
The titanium walls of silvery scales resemble a fish and with its gentle curves, the museum takes on the overall shape of a ship. From an opposite vantage point across the river, the Guggenheim appears as though it's sailing.
Guggenheim in Bilbao Contains Abstract Contemporary Art
Visitors should not arrive expecting to see rooms of 15th century Flemish masters, but instead giant rooms of avant- garde contemporary sculptures, installations and paintings. Audio guides come in several languages for all galleries and enhance understanding of particular works and artists.
Iconic Exhibits at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain
Exhibits are not limited to the inside of the museum thanks to Bilbao's mild climate, and are littered around its perimeter making a museum visit unique and further establishing the open connection between inside and outside.
- Found outside near the Nervión River is Louise Bourgeois' Maman, a giant spider that symbolizes both strengths and weaknesses of the artist's mother.
- Jeff Koons' Puppy, a favorite, sits outside at the main entrance to the museum like a friendly guard dog made from stainless steel, flowers, and soil.
- In the Arcelor Gallery just off of the central gathering hall, is Richard Serra's Matter of Time, made up of large steel sculptures, a permanent exhibit at the museum.
- Inside, visitors must not miss Joseph Beuys' Lightning with Stag in its Glare.
Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Opening Hours and Prices
The Guggenheim is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To accommodate influxes of summer visitors, the museum is also open Mondays in the months of July and August from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bilbao Guggenheim ticket prices vary depending on age, group purchases, and whether or not certain rooms/exhibits are closed that day.
Exploring Bilbao's Old Town or Casco Viejo
Spending hours immersed in abstract art that challenges reality make many visitors relish a quiet wander through streets lined with the Baroque architecture of Bilbao's Old Town (Casco Viejo in Basque). Plenty of bars offer bite-sized meals or pintxos and serve regional cider. Venturing into town reveals more of the local culture through its unique language and regional pride.
Visually inspired awe is not only found at the Guggenheim, but in and around Bilbao itself, framed by the Vizcaya hills and stretches of beach along the Atlantic coast.
Visitors must not miss exploring both the Guggenheim and the city of Bilbao as both work together to celebrate and showcase the progress of art.
Katherine Kocisky - Katherine graduated with a degree in English Education and French in 2004 from Illinois State University. Since then, she has taught high ...
