The Guggenheim Museum in New York is well known for its modern architecture and the showings of modern and contemporary art.
Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, approved the designs for the Guggenheim, but died before its completion in 1959, as did its namesake, Solomon R. Guggenheim. Wright did not want the location of the museum to be New York as he felt the city “lacked architectural merit”. Guggenheim, Wright’s client, wanted the location to be New York so, after reviewing several locations, Wright chose Fifth Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets in order to be close to Central Park, which was as close to nature as possible in New York City.
The Guggenheim Museum’s architecture is a marvel and until one is in it, it is difficult to relate the structure to its reality. I lived in New York growing up and visited the Guggenheim Museum once. I still recall my feeling of amazement that a structure of this design was built, never mind that one of the pieces of art was a large red circle on a plain white background! Until today, I did not know that one is supposed to take the elevator to the top floor, then walk downwards on a continuous ramp in the shape of a spiral. As it was, being a child at the time, walking quickly in a downward spiraling motion without having to look at the art work a second time was much more enjoyable!
As a fellow New Yorker and a student of Architecture I appreciate very much the efforts by Solomon Guggenheim to bring this state-of-art masterpiece to the city of New York. I also love the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. He inspires me in more ways than one, and especially in the design of this museum and the Johnson Wax Building. Both are genius works of architectural art, and another reason for my having chosen Architecture as the career path I would bestow. Everything from the round walls to the spiral design and natural lighting injection, please my artistic side by pushing the line architecturally to the edge of where no man has gone before. I believe this to be one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best qualities the other was educating others to follow in his foot steps.
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