Museo Guggenheim Bilbao (photo courtesy of the museum)
Address:
Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 - 48009 Bilbao, Spain
Website:
WHAT I LIKED: Touch objects and a nice audio guide
WHAT I MISSED: taking photos is not allowed
To read a summary of the blog please click the IN SHORT button
I did not really want to create a “Spanish series“ in my blog, but on a recent vacation I treated myself to the new thriller “Origin” by Dan Brown and I knew instantly that I had to write about the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, although my visit there dates back quite a while.
In the book Robert Langdon, the protagonist of the story, is an U.S. professor of “symbology” at Harvard University and had been invited to a mysterious event at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. There the adventure begins …
About the Museum
The museum opened in 1997 and was immediately recognized as one of the most spectacular buildings in the world. It has been designed by American architect Frank Gehry.
The Guggenheim is located on the Nervión River in a former industrial district of Bilbao. To describe the building, I’ll let Robert Langdon speak:
“The structure was impossible to take in at a glance, bizarre elongated forms, it doesn´t just break the rules – it ignores them completely ... it looked like something out of an alien hallucination, a swirling collage of warped metallic forms, a chaotic mass of shapes, 30.000 titanium tiles that glinted like fish scales and gave the structure simultaneously an organic and extraterrestrial feel – a fantastic dream ship in undulating form in a cloak of titanium, floating on water.”
To see for yourself, here is a video of the museum’s exterior.
Amazing architecture at night (photo courtesy of the museum)
The museum hosts a fantastic collection of artworks from the Guggenheim Foundation and houses large-scale, site-specific works and installations by contemporary artists, such as Ricard Serra´s “Matter of Time” (spoiler alert - Robert Langdon will have a secret and secluded meeting with his host inside the gigantic steel sculptures). In addition, works by Basque artists are displayed.
Entrance and Interior Spaces
Entering the museum is a special experience, the fascinating angles and perspectives of the architecture kept me thrilled throughout my visit and – at times – even distracted me from the artwork.
The Atrium is airy and spacious. At the ticket counter you can ask for a large floor map with raised line drawings and other objects and at the a visitor orientation room, Zero Espazioa you will find several touch objects provided by the museum for the visually impaired. The touch objects include models of the “Puppy” by Jeff Koons, the “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois, and the building itself.
"Puppy" by Jeff Koons, an outside installation
The museum galleries are connected by bridge-like walkways, staircases, and glass elevators. Navigation is in general easy, but sometimes the overwhelming visual inputs from the amazing architecture might be confusing and make orientation challenging. The light is filtered through glass panels and generally without glare (depending on the exhibition).
"Maman" by Louise Bourgeois, outdoor installation
Labels, Audio Guides, App, and Programs for VIP
At the time of my visit the labels were of a good size and with a clear and easy-to-read font. As always, white labels are hard to find on white walls, but on the whole the contrast was very good, and the labels were easy to locate.
The audio guide has a magnetic loop, which means that you do not have to punch in numbers! The audio guide will start on its own when you approach an artwork that is referenced in the device! I liked this feature very much – for once I did not have to try to read the audio guide symbol and then type in a number – an almost perfect audio guide!
In “Origin” Robert Langdon gets handed a personalized audio guide named “Winston”; this device will be on my 2018 Santa wish list! Winston talks to you and you can ask it questions. For instance, you could say: “Winston, guide me to the next restroom and tell me if there are any steps in my way” and Winston will do exactly that. Or you could ask: “Where can I find a work by Andy Warhol and what is written on the label? And what is Warhol’s bio?” It is like having a personal assistant at your side all the time! You can even have intelligent conversations with Winston ... at least in the book. While this all sounds futuristic, I have little doubt that soon his type of audio guide / assistant will become reality in the near future.
Back to the Guggenheim Bilbao ...
When I was visiting the museum there was an app available, at the moment they are working on a new version, so please check the website if it is already available. Video guides are also available, they offer sign language and transcripts in several different languages. For visually impaired people the museum offers audio descriptive tours which are always a great experience.
"Tulips" by Jeff Koons, outside installation
Last, but not Least
I wish we had had more time when we visited this museum – the architecture alone is so magnificent and multilayered that it takes a while to absorb. The combination with the large-scale artworks and the often-changing exhibitions guarantee for a very satisfying art experience, even when you visit the museum on your own as a VIP.
Dan Brown´s book “Origin” is full of artificial intelligence and incredible adventures in beautiful places and the end is ... well, I´d better not reveal too much!