Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Having been let down on my wine tour – more of that later – I was, therefore, at a loose end. I only had the afternoon left to me but I couldn’t come all this way without seeing Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Occasionally it’s nice to do the touristy things, there is a reason why they are tourist attractions!

Not normally being big on architecture, I do, however, like Frank Gehry’s Dancing house, it’s in one of my favourite cities in the world, Prague. For this reason, I’d been intrigued by photos of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, mainly on a windows screen saver, yes, I’m that much of an architecture philistine! Consequently, it has been on my list of things to see.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Reflection in water

History

Opened in 1997, public and critics surprisingly gave it a warm reception by and large, which is arguably highly unusual in itself. It opened as part of the Bilbao revitalisation program, and as a result has been a huge success. As a result, it has brought in a huge number of tourists from around the globe. Visited by nearly 4 million tourists in its first 3 years it has been undeniably, a big draw.

Due to its striking appearance, it has featured in films such as ‘The World is not Enough’ and music videos like Mariah Carey’s ‘Sweetheart’ it has quickly established itself into world consciousness.

Ultimately responsible for what is known as the ‘Bilbao Effect’ which is, and I’m paraphrasing, ‘Build something weird and people will come to look at it and spend a shed-load of cash’.

Perspective

Gehry’s’ design situated by the River Nervion commands attention. Stone, glass and titanium make up the construction of the building and I was genuinely impressed by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It’s seemingly random curves reflect the light to give different views from different positions, furthermore, different weather conditions give it a whole different appearance too! When I first arrived it was raining but after an hour the sun came out and because of that, it was almost looking like a different building.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao from the opposite bank

Guggenheim Bilbao

There is a bridge just upstream and another one downstream and they make great viewing platforms. Crossing the westerly bridge, I strolled up the other side of the river taking in the wider view, then crossed back on the higher easterly bridge for different perspectives.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao – Titanium Plates

Of course, it attracts a lot of visitors and there were many people doing exactly the same as me wandering and enjoying a truly spectacular building. Because of that, it also appears to be selfie central!

Impression

The impression I took away from the Guggenheim Museum was one of a giant ship setting sail through the town. Undeniably beautiful, Frank Gehry’s vision is pleasing to the eye in its quirkiness of design. Bold curves combine with details to make you think. Should a giant ship should be ploughing through downtown Bilbao is not a question, in my opinion, to ask! It ‘is’ and seems right!

In conclusion, if you do appreciate the architecture or are just in the area the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is definitely worth a visit, even if you are a philistine like me!

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao reflection

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and threatening sky

Around the Museum

‘Maman’ by Louise Bourgeois

I found this installation slightly ( read VERY ) disturbing, on account of being an Arachnophobe. Obviously, you can see from the pictures as to why! ‘Maman’ is nearly 9 metres tall and I couldn’t walk under it!

‘Maman’ – at Guggenheim Bilbao. Yes, it’s a chuffin’ great spider

Fetch! ‘Puppy’ by Jeff Koons

‘Puppy’ by Jeff Koons

Much as ‘Maman’ obviously inspired fear in me, ‘Puppy’ I found cute. Bedding plants make up the design and will be even more spectacular when they fully flower. Brilliantly, there were even birds nesting under the jaw when I was there. Internally, it has a trap door at the top and the 25 tons of soil is watered by an internal irrigation system. I’m also guessing the flowers are not ‘dead-headed’ too often!

Museum Entry (prices correct at time of writing)

Adults: 10 €
Senior: 6 €
Groups: > 20 pax. 9 €
Students: (< 26 years) 6 €

Open every day except Monday, see below for more information;