Solomon Guggenheim Museum works. Solomon Guggenheim Museum in New York: history, museum works, opening hours

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of Contemporary Art

This is perhaps the most unusual museum in New York. From its inception, the Guggenheim Museum in New York has been dedicated to collecting, preserving and presenting to the general public the works of masters of modern art and culture. Consistent avant-gardeism became the unspoken motto of the Museum workers. Today's collection of the Guggenheim Museum includes a colossal amount of works of art from the late 19th century to the present day. The ellipse-like futuristic building of the Guggenheim Museum, which stands out bizarrely even against the backdrop of the “alien” Manhattan architecture, has long become a recognizable symbol of New York in itself.

The Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in New York dates back to 1937, when the “copper-coal king” and gold miner Solomon Robert Guggenheim, at the age of 58, decided to retire and began collecting art.

Guggenheim himself was by no means an expert in matters of painting and sculpture, so he turned for help to Hilla Ribey von Enreinweisen, a famous German baroness, artist and art critic. The union of money and love for art brought amazing results: by 1937, the need arose to organize an entire museum capable of housing the Guggenheim collection. So in 1937, the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation was founded, and the art collection was housed in a house on 54th Street in Manhattan.

However, the collection grew, and the idea of building a building began to hover in the air, which could, in the words of Hilla Ribay, become a new “temple of the spirit.” In June 1943, the Guggenheim Foundation commissioned the construction of a new museum building to the eminent architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright himself was not at all delighted with the order, since he did not consider densely built-up New York a suitable place for his new amazing creation. And the building was indeed extremely daring and original, so much so that even the abstract artists of those times refused to exhibit their work there. Externally, this structure still evokes admiration; it looks like an inverted pyramid or a spaceship rushing upward. This final masterpiece by Wright is considered one of the most striking examples of architecture of the 20th century. Construction of the Museum building was completed in 1959, when neither Solomon Guggenheim nor Frank Lloyd Wright were alive.

It must be said that in creating the building, Wright moved away from the traditional museum structure, when visitors, viewing adjacent rooms, are forced to return the same way. At the Guggenheim Museum, viewers first take an elevator to the top floor, then go down a spiral ramp, exploring the exhibition as they go. The atrium, which is 400 meters long, is adjacent to six floors of halls, as well as new premises of the wing added to the main building in 1992.

The further development of the museum's collection and the philanthropic activities of the Guggenheim family led to the fact that in 1976 the Guggenheim Foundation received two galleries of contemporary art as a gift - in London and Venice, which became unique branches of the main museum. Today, the network of Guggenheim museums, in addition to the London and Venice galleries, includes the SoHo Museum in New York (1992), the Deutsche Guggenheim Museum in Berlin (1997), the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (1997), and two new museums in Las Vegas: Guggenheim Las Vegas and Guggenheim Hermitage.

Along the spiral gallery, all sorts of exhibitions are held that have a loud resonance in the art world. Connoisseurs of beauty will long remember the thematic exhibitions that introduce the viewer to the art of entire civilizations. Among the most ambitious are “Africa: The Art of a Continent” (1996), “China: Five Millennia” (1998) and “The Aztec Empire” (2004).

The exhibition “Russia!” (2005), unique in its scale and artistic significance, also fits into the thematic concept promoted by the Museum. This exhibition is difficult to describe in one paragraph; it certainly deserves a separate article. However, if you make its announcement in the American way quickly and brightly, then “Russia!” - this is a light green background of walls in the spirit of a “communal apartment” by designer Jean Grange, the presence at the presentation of V. Putin, and 240 Russian masterpieces, from ancient icons to social art, on a spiral Wright ramp, which are nowhere else, never and under no circumstances could not gather under one roof.

It must be said that the Guggenheim Foundation generally treats Russian art with great attention and respect. In this context, it is worth mentioning the New York exhibition “The Great Utopia: Russian and Soviet Avant-Garde, 1915-1932”, 1992; “Amazons of the Russian Avant-Garde”, 2000, which visited all European branches of the Museum. In June 2000, an agreement was signed between the Guggenheim Foundation and the Russian Ministry of Culture, within the framework of which the Guggenheim-Hermitage Museum was opened in Las Vegas, which should become “a box where the most striking exhibits of both museums would be collected.” The goal of the collaboration is to bring the unique collections of both museums into the public domain by exchanging exhibitions. In addition, the parties intend to implement common projects in the field of educational programs, in the publishing field, as well as on the Internet.

Today's Solomon Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art is the world's largest collection of paintings from the late 19th and 20th centuries. This treasury is modern both in its surreal appearance and in the content of the works present in its collections. Among the names represented in the Museum are Kandinsky, Tannhauser, Chagall, Arp, Bourgeois, Nierendorf, Cezanne, Pollack, Rauschenberg, Dreyer, Serra, Warhol, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Klee, Picasso, Rousseau, Giacometti, Brancusa, Miro, Léger, Delaunay , Goncharova and Rothko. In total, the museum houses more than six thousand masterpieces of the classics of the last century.

The Guggenheim Museum (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum) is located at 1071 Fifth Avenue, near 89th Street. 86th Street Subway Station, train lines 4, 5, 6. The museum is open to the public on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:45, on Friday from 10:00 to 20:00 . Full tickets cost $18, student and senior tickets cost $15. More complete information can be obtained by calling in New York 1 212 423 35 00, or on the museum’s website

One of the most vivid impressions after a recent visit to the city of the Big Apple was left by visiting Solomon Guggenheim Museum. The external spiral design of this structure is known throughout the world. The museum was designed in the mid-20th century by one of the greatest architects, Frank L. Wright. Work on the project began when Wright was already 80 years old, and ended after the architect’s 90th birthday.

So then think about the notorious “active twenty”, which considers the period 20–40 years to be the most fruitful age. Even between the ages of 40 and 60, Wright was not distinguished by creative enthusiasm, and only when a Montenegrin woman appeared in his life Olga Lazovich, success, recognition and prosperity came to the architect. To anyone interested in the topic, in addition to Wikipedia, which sets out in sufficient detail the life story of the great architectural genius, I would like to recommend an excellent film from director Ken Burns.

We return to the museum. Spiral shape It looks quite contrasting against the backdrop of traditional buildings with angular architecture, but at the same time it does not contradict the surroundings, but, on the contrary, creates completeness of the composition. It’s as if someone put a cup of traditional tea on the bookshelf, because sometimes it’s incredibly pleasant to forget yourself with this steaming drink in one hand and an interesting book in the other. And no less exciting is the world of contemporary art, which you can enter by taking just one step from the perpendicularly parallel streets of New York. By the way, in the souvenir department you can find a huge assortment of these spiral-shaped mugs.

As soon as you cross the threshold, a dramatic change of scenery suddenly occurs. Countless world names, including Noguchi, Rothko, Pollock and other modernist classics, are represented here with their most famous sculptures and paintings.

One of the most “modest” collections belongs to my favorite impressionists. The exhibition to which I gave my heart this time was dedicated to the work of the Russian painter and art theorist Wassily Kandinsky.

I never considered myself a fan of his, but when I saw his work live and in full, I was simply amazed! Thus, the Solomon Guggenheim Museum contributed to my enlightenment :).

I can’t ignore the souvenir department in the museum, or rather its services and goods. Firstly, I really liked the opportunity to print a copy of any exhibit of your choice; I think all museums should adopt this technique. The second thing that caused me crazy delight was this Guggenheim souvenirs, selected in such a way as to be not only a beautiful reminder of the trip, but also to develop a sense of beauty. Hanging cars, which are also photo hangers, sway in the slightest breeze and change images, children's tops that draw stunning spirals. It seems to me that here I found the most ingenious souvenirs I have ever seen.

And finally, a little about the amazing architecture. The museum, in addition to containing amazing collections of contemporary art, is itself an exhibit. I think that I will be right in expressing my thoughts about the genius of the architect, who was able to answer several important questions:

How to make a building that would contribute to a person’s self-development, strengthen his aspirations, and all this would happen in an atmosphere of modernist creativity?

What will make visitors put aside their mental shell and appreciate an unconventional approach to beauty and creativity?

How to transform our life so that it becomes like a work of art, and not like a boring routine?

The architect answered all these questions flawlessly, without resorting to a single word. And the spiral is like symbol of constant development, contributes to the natural and harmonious solution of all assigned tasks. By the way, children here do not feel bored at all, as is usually the case in museums - if not a great many paintings, then running along the spiral staircases will definitely captivate them :).

Literally every detail of the museum is pleasing to the eye, and its creative content stimulates the imagination, so I recommend it as a must-visit!

general information

The Guggenheim Museum in New York is valuable not only for the works of art on display here: the museum building itself invariably attracts the admiration of art connoisseurs and architects from all over the world. Externally, the museum looks like an inverted pyramidal tower. Tourists stand in awe in front of the Guggenheim Museum. Wright sought to combine architecture with nature and created a building that flows organically towards its base, like a clam shell.

Inside, a spiral ramp runs along the walls, creating a feeling of space open on all sides. The exhibition spaces start at the top floor and work their way down. Thus, the visitor walking down the ramp has a constantly changing visual perspective, and literally at every step he has the opportunity to look at the exhibition from a new point of view. The interior details make up a thoughtful symphony of triangles, ovals, circles and squares. The shapes repeat and flow into one another, creating a fantastic environment.

The works of art exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York are still famous throughout the world today, as is the museum Frank Lloyd Wright created for them.

Tel: 212-423-3500; www.guggenheim.org; 1071 Fifth Avenue; adult/child $18/free; 10.00-17.45 Sat-Wed, 10.00-19.45 Fri.

History of creation

In 1943, artist Hilla von Ribay was the personal consultant to Solomon R. Guggenheim, an industrial magnate and collector. It was she who advised the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright to order a museum project for the huge collection of the Guggenheim, who was mainly interested in modern art. The former “Museum of Biased Painting” could no longer accommodate the entire collection by the opening day of the new museum in 1959. Politicians, art connoisseurs and ordinary guests invited to the celebration were amazed at the spectacle that appeared before them - and not everyone was happy about it. However, no one could deny one thing: the Wright Museum definitely exceeded all expectations.

In a letter to Wright in 1943, von Ribay outlined her idea of building a museum for the Guggenheim collection. She wrote: “I need a fighter for free space, a person with taste, a sage... I need a temple of spirituality, a monument!” At first, Wright was not very interested in this project.

Finally, after much debate and negotiation, Hill von Ribay, Solomon R. Guggenheim and Frank Lloyd Wright came to an agreement: they chose a location on Fifth Avenue, near Central Park. The location near the park was one of Wright's main conditions. His new museum was supposed to embody the symbiosis of architecture and nature, to merge art, architecture and nature into a harmonious union with the bustle of the big city.

Wright took the time to develop this project, which is why construction began so late, only in 1956, and was completed in 1959. By this time, Solomon Guggenheim and Frank Wright were no longer alive.

Chronology

1937: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is founded.
1939: The first Guggenheim Museum of Non-Objective Painting opens in the heart of New York City.
1943: Frank Lloyd Wright begins designing a new museum.
1956-1959: The new Guggenheim Museum is built on Fifth Avenue.
1991-1992: The building is completely restored and expanded.

Guggenheim Museum in New York (Guggenheim Museum)

Frank Lloyd Wright's most outstanding creation is located in the heart of Manhattan, on Fifth Avenue. The unique design and inimitable beauty of the Guggenheim Museum bear the stamp of architectural genius.

The Guggenheim Museum is New York's most extraordinary museum and one of the leading collections of contemporary art in the world. The founder of the museum is philanthropist Solomon Robert Guggenheim.
The Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art in New York dates back to 1937, when the “copper-coal king” and gold miner Solomon Robert Guggenheim, at the age of 58, decided to retire and began collecting art.

Exhibits of Russian art in the museum

Part of the exhibition “Kandinsky Before Abstraction 1901–1911” at the Guggenheim Museum.

The works of art exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York are still famous throughout the world today, as is the museum Frank Lloyd Wright created for them.

Wright took the time to develop this project, which is why construction began so late, only in 1956, and was completed in 1959. By this time, Solomon Guggenheim and Frank Wright were no longer alive.

Modern Spanish architecture is a unique phenomenon in world culture. Amazing futuristic buildings here peacefully coexist with classical buildings of past centuries, creating a unique effect of merging the past and the future.
This is exactly how the quiet, and until recently unremarkable, city of Bilbao appears to its guests. Fame came to him in the late 90s, when in the heart of the city, on the banks of the Nervion River, one of the most amazing museums of the Old World was built - the famous Guggenheim Museum, entirely dedicated to contemporary art. Since then, Bilbao has become a kind of Mecca for progressive and daring artists from all over the world. At the same time, bizarre installations began to appear on the streets of the capital of the Basque Country, diluting and enlivening the austere but faceless architecture of the provincial city with their unexpected forms.
However, the main attraction of Bilbao remains the Museum, an acquaintance with which is definitely included in any tourist program. You may not understand or accept modern art, but a visit to the Guggenheim Museum is not just an excursion, but an interesting philosophical attraction that allows you to take a fresh look at familiar things and the space around them.

Museum outside

The museum got its name in honor of the famous American philanthropist and connoisseur of the latest artistic trends, Solomon Robert Guggenheim. The entrepreneur opened his first exhibition in 1937 in New York. The Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art was opened exactly 60 years later, so it can be called a branch of the overseas one.
Spain was also not chosen by chance. Such a popular country among tourists provides the museum with an endless stream of visitors. And even though the museum in Bilbao occupies only second position in terms of status, it has become famous throughout the world for its appearance.

A strange building in the deconstructivist style, a unique creation by Frank Gehry, is a bizarre pile of curved metal structures that sparkle dazzlingly in the bright sun. When viewed from above, it resembles the opening flower of some unearthly plant, spreading its petals in all directions (although some believe that it looks like an artichoke, but everyone has their own taste).

The titanium coating of all external surfaces and their intricate curves allow light to be captured, making the building glow from the inside even in cloudy weather. And in the flickering light of night lamps, it is a stunning sight and looks like a large alien ship.

However, the creators of the museum thought that spectacular architecture was not enough, so it was additionally surrounded by interesting installations. So, from time to time, the building suddenly begins to be enveloped in a light foggy haze, seemingly appearing directly above the water. But the point here is not in nature, but in the original project of the artist Fujiku Nakaya, invented specifically for the museum in Bilbao. In fact, special devices are installed along the entire perimeter of the foundation to create the purest water vapor, which creates the illusion of fog beautifully spreading over the waters of Nervion.

In addition, the museum building is surrounded on all sides by fountains, but of course they are also not easy. Their jets often and unpredictably change their direction, creating the illusion of some kind of chaos, which, in combination with the constantly playing unusual music, gives a stunning effect. Anyone who stops to admire this picture begins to feel as if they have suddenly been transported to another planet. And with the onset of darkness, the water fountains turn off, and their place is taken by fire ones...

It seems that the largest exhibit of the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art is the building itself.

Sculptures

After admiring the Guggenheim Museum building from afar, it’s worth getting closer to it. In addition to those described above, you can see several more very interesting sculptures and installations around the building.

Like any self-respecting house, the Guggenheim Museum has its own guard dog, but not an ordinary one. Firstly, this is not an adult dog, but a terrier puppy. Secondly, it has impressive dimensions - 13 meters in height. And thirdly, he is, of course, a sculpture, and created from flowers. This charming Flower Puppy was created by the American artist Koons, and has long earned the sympathy of all museum workers and visitors. It is truly charming, and the work of the gardeners who carefully look after its flower skin deserves special admiration. The terrier changes its color depending on the time of year. In winter he is simply green, but the rest of the time his fur is covered with bright colors. When some fade, others immediately bloom in their place.

A little further, right next to the beautiful curved pedestrian bridge, there is a sculpture of another representative of the animal world. This is the famous Maman - a giant sculpture of the Black Widow spider. The titanic size of the statue makes any person feel tiny and insignificant next to it. In the spider’s basket you can see a whole clutch of glass eggs, and with this she seems to remind people that people like her are quite capable of conquering the world, and which of us is the crown of creation is a rather controversial question.

Two more installations look more peaceful, but no less impressive. A bouquet of sparkling multi-colored tulips that seem inflatable, but are actually made of the thinnest sheets of steel and an elegant garland of metal balls that seem to grow straight from the water.

Interior space and exhibition

The inside of the Guggenheim Museum looks no less strange than the outside. There are almost no traditional rectangular rooms here; everything consists of broken lines and diagonals, crossing the space in an arbitrary and chaotic order.
In the center of the building there is a high atrium, from which numerous halls extend like flower petals.

The permanent exhibition is located at the very top, on the third floor. Each of the halls presents to the viewer a separate direction of contemporary art. Here are collections of works by the best artists who worked in the style of abstractionism, cubism, futurism or surrealism. The arrangement of the exhibits allows you to completely immerse yourself in the bizarre world of masterpieces by Picasso, Dali or Kandinsky, and try to understand their strange philosophy and unique view of the world.

The halls on the second floor are intended for holding temporary exhibitions, so it is not possible to predict what the next exhibition will surprise viewers with. Not only paintings are demonstrated here, but also sculpture, plastic arts, and often original installations created from the most unexpected materials.
The entire central gallery of the first floor is occupied by the very popular composition “The Matter of Time,” created by the famous American sculptor Richard Serra. This ambitious project consists of several intricately curved sheets of durable ship steel, which, twisting into spirals and ellipses, form a strange labyrinth. You can endlessly wander among these iron walls, studying how space narrows and expands, directing a person either to a dead end and hopelessness, or to open doors and the possibility of further choice of path...

You can philosophize endlessly at the Guggenheim Museum. Its creators believe that by studying unusual exhibits, every visitor will be able to discover new facets of consciousness in order to better understand themselves and the world around them in its most unpredictable manifestations.