The Guggenheim was one of the most intricate and diverse museums I have ever been too and I knew it had something to do with the founder, Solomon G. Guggenheim. Solomon Guggenheim was originally a businessman who just happened to have a love for collecting art. Eventually, Solomon wanted to show his art to people so he began presenting them in small showrooms. There came a time when he just had too many paintings and needed a larger venue. Solomon wanted a “temple” that reflected the thoughts of the people when looking at the artwork.
Finding the museum was not difficult since it does stand on one of the most famous streets in New York City, adjacent to Central Park, Museum Mile. The architecture of the museum was nothing to ignore. The obscure white outside wrap around makes practically everyone on the street stop to observe, thanks to Frank Lloyd Wright who was able to come up with such a unique architectural design. The extensive security and bag check seemed to differ from other museums since most don’t have such a strict process. The best part of the museum experience was walking in, and looking up. The spatial, white, open arrangement of the museum was astounding and unexpected.
One piece in particular sparked my interest during the tour. The painting was titled “Before The Mirror” by Edouard Manet. What I enjoyed about the tour was that the guide
gave us two minutes to scrutinize the painting and reflect on our own personal thoughts. The rapid movements of the artists brush made the painting very vague and unpredictable. When you look at the mirror particularly, you cannot even see her facial expression. From the way she is dressed, to the pleasant pastel shades Manet used, I inferred she is from some sort of a bourgeoisie class. If you walk around the floor and look at the painting from across the floor, it is interpreted differently. From a far, the painting looks put together without much to question or interpret which I think makes this one of the most fascinating contemporary pieces I looked at while at the Guggenheim.
Walking through the museum, I realized Solomon’s goal was to let everyone construe the art in completely different ways. There was no right or wrong answer in the museum and the bright open architectural design helps one think and reflect on the art peacefully. If I were to create a museum, I would want the overall theme of the museum to resemble one of serenity. I would want one to feel untroubled and at peace with themselves when stepping foot into the museum. Instead of bright white like Solomon, I would go for a more neutral tone approach with calm waterfalls or sitting areas throughout the museum. The Guggenheim truly showed how paintings that were hundreds of years old, are still viewed and interpreted by people differently each day. As the years went on, the thoughts of Americans varied and dispersed.
Karina Karazhbey
