Page 46 - World of Art Contemporary Art magazine: The 2023 Guggenheim issue
P. 46
In 1943, Guggenheim commissioned the renowned
architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a permanent
home for his museum on Fifth Avenue between 88th
and 89th Streets on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
THE SOLOMON R. Wright’s design was a radical departure from the
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN conventional rectangular box of most museums. He
NEW YORK CITY AND THE conceived a spiral-shaped building that would allow
SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM visitors to experience the artworks in a continuous
FOUNDATION flow along a ramp that ascended from the ground
floor to the top. Wright also designed a large skylight
that would illuminate the interior with natural light.
THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN NEW YORK Wright’s vision was to create a “temple of the spirit”
CITY IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND INFLUENTIAL that would harmonize with the art and the city.
MUSEUMS OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
IN THE WORLD. IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1937 BY THE However, Wright’s design faced many challenges and
AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN AND ART COLLECTOR controversies during its construction. It took 16 years
SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM, WHO WANTED TO SHARE to complete, from 1943 to 1959, and it cost more than
HIS PASSION FOR NON-OBJECTIVE ART, A FORM OF $3 million, which was twice the original budget. Wright
ABSTRACT ART THAT DOES NOT REPRESENT ANY had to deal with numerous technical difficulties, such
RECOGNIZABLE OBJECTS OR SCENES, WITH THE PUBLIC. as structural stability, fire safety, climate control, and
THE MUSEUM WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED THE MUSEUM lighting. He also had to overcome the opposition of
OF NON-OBJECTIVE PAINTING AND WAS LOCATED IN A some critics, neighbors, and city officials, who disliked
RENTED SPACE ON EAST 54TH STREET. THE MUSEUM’S his unconventional style and accused him of violating
FIRST DIRECTOR WAS HILLA VON REBAY, A GERMAN the city’s building codes and zoning regulations.
ARTIST AND CURATOR WHO INTRODUCED GUGGENHEIM Wright defended his design as an expression of
TO NON-OBJECTIVE ART AND HELPED HIM BUILD HIS organic architecture, which was inspired by nature and
COLLECTION. human needs.
