If you have a penchant for architecture, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum should be right up your alley. Although the regular admission might seem a little steep at twenty-two dollars, it is well worth it. The Guggenheim Museum is an art powerhouse. It is nestled on the Upper Eastside of New York City and has a prize winning collection of modern and contemporary art.
The Guggenheim got its start because of Mr. Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hilla Rebay. Mr. Guggenheim had a collection of nonobjective artwork that continued to grow and Hilla Rebay nurtured his love for artwork. Eventually this collection grew so large; Mr. Guggenheim decided to start a museum. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was completed in the year 1959, but it underwent several renovations in the 1990’s and in the early 2000’s. The Guggenheim was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous and celebrated architect and is considered an architectural masterpiece. This museum was commissioned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and serves as a beacon for contemporary and non-objective art. Within its walls, you can see all sorts of mediums and techniques. From paintings to sculptures to drawings, the Guggenheim showcases it all.
The Guggenheim remains current partly because of its contribution to society. It is regarded as the most impressive modern day art collection on the planet. The art housed within it is timeless. The Guggenheim is internationally renowned and held in high esteem by all artistic communities. Works that are housed within the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum are of a very high caliber. Today artists are thrilled to be included, but in the beginning there were doubts. Some artists did not want their pieces showcased within the Guggenheim because of the odd architecture. They were afraid that their works would be diminished by Mr. Lloyd Wright’s unique and interesting design. Although the weird layout of the Guggenheim put off some, others were intrigued. Eventually artists overcame the Guggenheim’s off kilter design, and today admittance is highly competitive. Only the best are considered.
Although the Guggenheim is decades old, it remains culturally relevant today. No matter where you go or what you choose to watch, you can’t escape the Guggenheim. It has a profound effect on the art world. This is especially true in New York. It is immersed New York’s art culture and it has also invaded our mainstream media. There have been several references to the illustrious Guggenheim for years in our pop culture. The most famous example of this is Men in Black. This movie was extremely popular and was seen by hundreds of millions of viewers. The Guggenheim was also used in Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Bye Bye Birdie and Ugly Betty.
For all you modern art fanatics, the Guggenheim is the place to be. Come check it out. You’ll be glad you did.
By Melissa Cooke