Page 14 - "he 2020 Guggenheim issue of World of Art Contemporary Art Magazine

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Photo: David Heald © The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York
Frank Lloyd Wright was no fan of Manhattan. He once
described it as a “vast prison with glass fronts,” but he
also knew that a major commission in New York City
THE GUGGENHEIM would would be important to his legacy. For Wright the
MUSEUM FROM THE saving grace for the museum’s site was its proximity to
Central Park, providing an oasis amidst the noise and
OUTSID congestion of the city.

Wright put out a “welcome mat” for visitors by
more than doubling the width of the sidewalk and
announcing his central motif—the circle—even in the
concrete pavers that surround the building. Year-round
As you walk north on Fifth Avenue you pass block after you will find people perched along the outside ledges,
block of tall apartment houses that establish a formidable taking in the sun, enjoying a snack purchased from
wall of relative uniformity. On the opposite side of the one of the street vendors, or watching the parade of
street, an extended stone wall marks the outer limit of natives and tourists from around the world.
Central Park and presents its own predictable rhythm.
The elements of the streetscape impart the message As you face the outside of the museum you will see
“keep walking.” And then you reach 88th Street. The three distinct formations. To your right, and most
street opens up, the profile becomes lower, air and light imposing, is the large rotunda. To the left, the small
is more abundant. You have reached the Guggenheim rotunda echoes the circular shape on a smaller scale.
Museum. Until 1988 it was used as administrative offices, but
Whereas the rest of Fifth Avenue presents buildings is now open to the public. The rectangular building
that are rectangular, vertical, and decorated with bits of (the Annex Building) is an addition that opened in
ornamentation, the Guggenheim counters this regularity 1992. Designed by Gwathmey Siegel and Associates,
with its purely sculptural facade. Its clean circular and Architects, it provides additional exhibition and
horizontal design is devoid of surface decoration. office space.

14 WORLD of ART