The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

You can find a Guggenheim museum in New York, Venice, Berlin, Bilbao and even in Las Vegas. The museum in Bilbao Spain was added to this exclusive list in 1997.

I am lucky enough to live just 15 minutes walk from this extraordinary place. It’s a view you never get tired off, no matter how often you see it. In rain and shine the Guggenheim maintains its majesty.

The Guggenheim museum of Bilbao is the fruit of the collaboration between The Basque government (who provided the funding) and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (responsible for management and artworks).

A fish inspired this piece of avant-garde architecture
World renowned architect Frank O. Gehry is the creator of this daring building. When you visit the museum you are offered a portable audio guide. There Frank Gehry himself explaining how he as a boy used to watch a swimming fish kept in his house. This served as an inspiration later in life. The “fish-scale” titanium panels cover the major part of the exterior.

Contemporary art in an awe striking environment
Once you get inside the museum you realize that you can’t see it all in one go. To appreciate all the exhibitions you need plenty of time, luckily your entrance ticket is valid for one full day and you can re-enter after a break.

The heart of the museum is the atrium. It is not allowed to take photographs inside the museum so unfortunately you have to pay a visit in person to experience it fully. I can just tell you that it is awe striking!

Electronic installations and giant sculptures are exhibited in the atrium. Other exhibition halls are more traditional.

You can choose to see works in the permanent collection or enjoy one of the temporary exhibitions. Whatever you decide on you won’t be disappointed.

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