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Attraction >Museum
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Description and Basic Information ::
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 The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is located in Upper Manhattan at 1071 5th Avenue at East 89th Street, along Museum Mile. Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the building resembles a white marshmallow, capped by a large glass dome. Inside is one of the most treasured collections of paintings and sculpture anywhere. The Guggenheim is widely lauded and is definitely worth a visit for anyone who enjoys art at even the minutest level.
The Baroness Hilla Rebay von Ehrenwiesen, an influential dignitary who originally envisioned the building of the Guggenheim, commissioned Wright to create the design for the art venue. He responded with a set of plans, but was met with much contention from the Baroness, causing a 16-year delay in construction. The museum finally opened in 1959. Today, highlights include works by Picasso, van Gogh and Kandinsky, among others. The emphasis here is on modern art. Sculpture is also prominently displayed throughout, and the collection is so vast that a separate branch, the Guggenheim SoHo (located along Broadway at Prince Street,) was opened in 1992.
The most popular way to view art at the Guggenheim is to enter the building and then take the elevator to the very top. From there, you can proceed down the spiraling ramp to ground level, enjoying the art displayed along the way. Incidentally, some critics feel Wright’s design is not an ideal structure for viewing art. Others feel that, considering the treasures within, such opinions are trivial.
Guggenheim SoHo began as a less popular offspring of the main museum, but has enjoyed a steady rise in popularity over the past few years. It takes up residence in a landmark brick structure that dates back to the nineteenth century and was partially designed by Arata Isozaki. Modern art from the main permanent collection is featured at the SoHo branch, while temporary exhibitions tend to remain in the main museum. There is also a museum store, which faces out onto Broadway. |
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:: New York City >Uptown :: |
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