Frank Gehry’s undulating titanium-coated Guggenheim Museum has become so synonymous with the city of Bilbao that it’s often forgotten that it opened less than a decade ago, in 1997. This in itself is a testament to the success of Bilbao’s program of urban renewal, through which this erstwhile rusting port city has come to be identified with cutting-edge architecture and outstanding cuisine. Whether arriving by the waterside tram, by Santiago Calatrava’s graceful Zubizuri Footbridge, or by walking along the pungent Rio Nervión (itself lined with innumerable construction projects) the Guggenheim truly feels like the center of a cultural revival. At once synthetic and comfortingly organic, in my humble opinion, it’s the world’s most attractive contemporary building.
Had the Guggenheim never been built, Gehry would still be regarded as one of the world’s greatest architects for his innovative style, which involves using aircraft design software to create the distinctively undulating shapes that give his buildings their unusual feel. This technique was perfectly suited to conceiving a building that urban planners hoped to make both a landmark in itself and also an integrated part of Bilbao’s waterfront. Inspired by his experience playing with the live carp his grandmother brought home every weekend to turn into gefilte fish for the family’s Sabbath meal during his childhood in Toronto, Gehry designed a shiny building that seemed to rise from the river.
The museum’s bright interior, which Gehry intended to resemble a beating heart to circulate visitors to adjoining galleries (as opposed to more traditionally linear museums), is no less impressive. The hefty €10 admission fee includes an audioguide which contains information about Gehry and the permanent collection, as well as whatever temporary exhibition is being displayed. There are also daily English-language tours (usually at 3pm) of the building and both temporary and permanent exhibitions. The museum’s "permanent" collection of modern art actually rotates, as it's shared with the other Guggenheim Museums worldwide, however there are a few truly permanent site specific pieces. The most beloved of these is Jeff Koons’ "Puppy," a flower covered statue of a gigantic dog which guards the entrance. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition to commemorate the museum’s opening, it remained in place by popular demand and blooms in different colors every spring. I personally found Richard Serra’s "Snake," located in the aptly named "Fish Gallery" (the museum’s largest), and consisting of 3 gigantic ribbons of hot rolled steel, rather more interesting.
Considering its literal, figurative, and visual importance to the city of Bilbao, the museum is worth seeing more than once. I don’t just recommend exploring the building multiple times, which a ticket enables you to do, since it allows you to enter and exit freely on the day of your visit. It's also well worth approaching it from different angles in order to appreciate the way it fits with the city and the riverbank as a whole.
Further information: http://www.guggenheim-bilbao.es/ingles/home.htm