The Guggenheim is located on Museum Mile, opposite Central Park.

Recently we were at the Guggenheim to see the current exhibit called Russia! Let me confess that our timing was lousy. We should not have gone on a weekend, when the crowd was at its peak, which made it difficult for us to enjoy the exhibit.

The first thing that you are drawn to when you are at the museum is the building itself. The wonderfully designed building of Frank Lloyd Wright is a showstopper. People cannot help but crane their necks, look up at the dome of the building, and marvel at the ingenious way in which the museum was constructed.

Like everybody else, once I was partially satiated with my examination of the building, I focused on the ambitious art exhibit that displays Russian art through the ages. The exhibition was a disappointment in part because it was difficult to sync up the audio with the numbering of the exhibit. Compounding this was the fact that there were quite a few people who were treating this like a roadside exhibition, making it impossible to view the pieces in quiet contemplation. Some were holding mundane conversations on where to eat, while others were busy catching up on their gossip. It was awfully loud for a museum, and that came as a surprise.

I guess I will have to go back another day to see the exhibit.

I did go back on a Thursday, and it turns out that this is the day the museum is closed, but the store is open.

The museum is a collection of European abstract art and modern art. Its permanent collections include Picasso, Kandisnsky, Modiglianni, Klee, Modrian, Braqe, Chagall, Gleizes, and Malevich. One of the heralded pieces is Van Gogh’s Mountain at Saint-Remy. One of the best ways to view the collection is start from the top and work your way down. On the fifth level, you can walk out into the Sculpture Terrace. While I didn’t find anything particularly impressive, you do get a nice view of Central Park. Once inside, you can only photograph the main lobby. You will have to check your camera in coat check.

Personally, I was as not impressed by the collection. It is included in the city pass, and MoMA was closed, so we decided to check out the museum. I love art as much as the next person, but I prefer the old masters. I love French impressionists such as Monet and Renoir. I also love painters such as Georgia O’Keeffe. As far as photography goes, I will take the serene photos of Ansel Adams. I just fail to see the art in these paintings or a photograph of three black fingernails. Most of the art looks like something kids draw when they are doing finger-painting! We only spent about 30 minutes in the place. But hey, plenty of others do like this stuff.

A spiraling rotunda circles over ramp that leads past exhibits. We saw Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso works. When we were there three special exhibits were on display, Speaking with Hands, Constantin Brancusi and the Mondrian to Ryman. It was very beautiful to see all the art work/sculptures, etc.

I am not a real art person; however, I enjoyed the museum. I am glad I went to see the exhibits, as they were very well displayed and the talent of the artists came through. It was $10 US to enter the museum as a student, $15 otherwise. The museum was open Saturday–Wednesday 10 AM–5:45 PM, Friday 10 AM–8 PM. To reach the museum by subway, take the 4, 5, or 6 train to 86th Street. Walk west on 86th Street, turn right at 5th Avenue and proceed north to 88th Street.