On a sunny Tuesday morning, I arrived early to the first museum of many I will be attending this year as a part of my Macaulay class. As a result of my promptness, I had time to spare before entering the Guggenheim to meet with my fellow classmates. So, I walked across the street to Central Park and sat on a bench and read a book. In my opinion, Central Park was the first museum I stepped into that day. The park is full of foliage, peace and natural beauty. When time came to enter the Guggenheim, I looked up at the museum and was amazed at its beautifully unique structure. The architecture of the museum was remarkable and upon entering the museum, I appreciated how the natural sunlight seeped from the top of the building as the spiral ramp hugged the surrounding walls that overflowed with art. The first topic of discussion initiated by the tour guide was the elephant in the room, the architecture. Who created it? And why did the architect build the museum like this?
The docent informed the class that the Guggenheim was built by the renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, in1959. Wright had intentional motives for all the details of the museum. The location of the Guggenheim is right next to Central Park, thus, Wright built big glass windows facing the park. Wright purposely built these windows to escape the noise, distraction and congestion of the city while providing inspiration from nature. I wholeheartedly agree and experienced this isolation and inspiration when I arrived early to the museum. Additionally, the exposed rotunda presented the onlookers the special opportunity to view the art from different levels simultaneously. For example, as I walked up the ramp, the tour guide pointed down to a painting from on a lower level that we had seen earlier. When observing it from a farther and higher angle the painting became fascinatingly clearer.
Walking through the Guggenheim made me wonder how the museum choose its art and the frames that surround them? Is it the name of the artist or the artists’ followers that make the paintings grant entry into the museum? I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Guggenheim, that I never got answers to these questions. I hope on my next visit to a museum I explore these questions further.
I began to think as to why my grandma’s work is not hanging in the Guggenheim? My personal experience with art growing up were these beautiful landscapes water color paintings my grandmother made. Her artwork always drew my attention and my support. When looking at Pablo Picasso’s painting, arguably the most famous painter of the 20th century, I thought about how, if I were to open a museum or gallery, my grandma’s work deserved to be displayed next to Picasso’s The Poet.
The painting on the left is Picasso’s The Poet
My Grandma’s Artwork
Before the Mirror by Édouard Manet
Before the Mirror by Édouard Manet from a level above
Guggenheim “Rollercoaster (interior design of the museum)
Andrew Langer
Tags: Diverse, Eventful, Impactful, Interactive, personal
Andrew, I love your view that Central Park is a museum. I have been there so many times, and while I have always been captivated by its natural beauty, I never made that connection. So thank you for that.
Also, your grandmother’s landscape is absolutely beautiful. Seeing her work right next to Picasso’s and Manet’s, I definitely agree that she deserves to be in a museum.
Overall, great work!
Your interpretation that Central Park is a museum itself truly insightful and beautiful. The park is indeed full of different forms of expression through the animals, people, and other wildlife that live there with no limitation. The fact that you were able to make this observation and connect it to the beauty and art in the Guggenheim Museum is truly amazing and I enjoyed this reflection very much!
The way you open up by describing Central Park and then giving the Guggenheim an overview based on just the setting on it and also asking questions just based on the first impression was amazing! I completely agree with you when you say Central Park was the first museum. Although I didn’t get the chance to actually explore it in depth or even go inside of it, I can only imagine how much of an impact it can have on the rest of the day. I believe it sets the initial mood that the Guggenheim was aiming for and I also think that its a sole reason as to why its next to Central Park. I also love the idea of your grandma’s artwork being in your own museum. I believe it gives your own museum huge meaning and real depth. Also, I love your grandma’s watercolor painting. Its’s so bright, vivid, deep and beautiful all at once.
I never thought of Central Park as a museum. I really appreciate your perspective on that and agree completely. I also found it extremely fascinating that we were able to look at the same painting from a higher angle and see how much clearer and realistic it became. Someone in my group had also asked about how the frames for paintings in a museum are chosen. It really is an excellent question, something I have never thought about before. I love how you connected the Guggenheim to your personal life. Your grandma is an incredible artist! I’m looking forward to you opening a museum and seeing her artwork hang proud!
I also wondered about the frames of each painting and the story behind each painting’s journey before getting to the museum. I love your personal aspect about having your own museum. Your grandmother’s painting is absolutely stunning! Your idea of bringing grandma’s painting and Picasso’s together on one wall made me realize that art is more accessible and personal than just “Picasso” at the “Guggenheim.” Thank you for that!