December 16, 2015
THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
On an overcast day in mid-October I decided to make a return visit to the dramatic Guggenheim Museum, located on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. It’s been years since I’ve visited this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed edifice. Thinking strategically, I purposely picked a Wednesday afternoon because I believed that would be a good time to go. Meaning: no crowds, no distractions.
The Guggenheim Museum in New York City
I was dead wrong. There were tour buses, food vendors, museum lovers standing outside and even more people on the circular seven-level ramp that coils up from the main floor. I quickly decided to head down one floor to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s plans for his groundbreaking Usonia houses.
Wright was always ahead of his time and his design for this modest middle-class dwelling with no basement and no attic is a spare, yet elegant precursor to the modern ranch house. In 1953, a model of the house was erected on the site where the Guggenheim would ultimately be erected.
Wright spent the last 16 years of his life working on his design for the Guggenheim. He died at 91 – six months before the museum opened in 1959. In spite of all the controversy at the time, it is now seen as one of New York’s finest buildings.
THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM BILBAO
If I had the wherewithal I would fly over to Spain for two days just to see this incredible museum designed by Frank Gehry. Opened in 1997, it is located on the industrial riverfront in the Basque city of Bilbao in northern Spain.
This astounding structure is made of limestone, glass and sheets of titanium, a lustrous, high-strength metal. Bilbao was once known for its shipbuilding and this is reflected in the museum’s design – a clipper ship under full sail.
The Guggenheim Museum located in the Basque city of Bilbao in northern Spain
Inside, the museum features a 150-foot-high atrium, from which glass elevators and metal walkways lead to 19 exhibition spaces, including a gallery 426 feet long and 98 feet wide. Many illustrious names of 20th century art are featured: Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso to name a few.
THE LOUIS VUITTON MUSEUM
On second thought, maybe I’ll throw caution to the wind and take out a second mortgage. Then, I can spend two days in Spain plus two in France – and know that I’ve seen it all.
Frank Gehry has outdone himself with this creation. Or, as he says, “I have never designed anything exactly like this before.” That’s quite a statement coming from an 85-year-old architect. Of course, he was a youthful 72 when this project began.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton museum, designed by American architect Frank Gehry has 12 glass sails that billow around the main building
Bernard Arnault, the richest man in France and head of the LVMH luxury goods empire has financed this endeavor. The museum opened on October 27, 2015 and is situated on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, a public park. It has 12 glass sails that billow around the museum’s main building. Inside there are 11 galleries for exhibits and a permanent collection of art. Right now, this is a privately owned museum but, in 50 years, it will be donated to the city of Paris.
Summing up, all three of these museums are otherworldly and fantastical creations that are drawing more and more people to view great art. That says it all.
MAY WE SUGGEST…
Christmas is right around the corner. Have you finished shopping? Have you even started? Never fear, ADEA is here. We’ll give you all the help you need for those last-minute purchases. That’s a promise.
Shaun Nelson-HenrickComments will be approved before showing up.
October 22, 2020
I just read an article that sounded – to me at least – like “a canary in a coal mine” or an early warning of danger. This piece, written by Joe Pompeo, appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vanity Fair magazine with the title “The British Tabloid Invasion” and a subtitle that read, “How the Daily Mail is conquering American gossip.”
The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
October 14, 2020
Apparently the good old U.S. is a nation of “not great” sleepers. Really? And I thought I was the only one! According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it was revealed that one out of three Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Yikes!
October 06, 2020
I think we’re all taken by the incredible mystique of the famous French fashion house, Hermès that has been with us for two centuries and is still owned and operated by the same family. From its beginnings in fine equestrian leather goods, they are – in the tumultuous year 2020 – best known for their handbags and many other items.
My image of Hermès has always been rarified products at equally rarified prices so imagine my surprise when I recently received a very stylish publication of theirs in the mail.