Guggenheim Bilbao

We spent four days in Bilbao, a city built along the banks of the Nervion river a few miles from the bay of Biscay. Located in the Basque region of northern Spain, this city was once known for its shipyards, however over the last 50 years the once industrial riverside has been totally revitalized. The area now features promenades, innovative walking bridges, and a world class performing arts center. In fact the only remnants of the old waterfront is a former dry dock now part of the maritime history museum.

Bilbao has many architectural gems like the Teatro Arriaga and the Abando Train Station, but one building more than any other is responsible for putting Bilbao on the world stage, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry, and completed in 1997, the site receives over a million visitors each year. The organic shapes suggest ships, a nod to the city's seafaring past, and the exterior is clad in titanium panels similar to fish scales. The vaulted interior with the large glass panels gives the space an open airy sense where the line between interior and exterior is blurred.

The Guggenheim is committed to displaying significant works of the late 20th century and also showcasing contemporary artists. The largest gallery space is devoted to the large-scale steel sculptures of Richard Serra. These sheets of 2” thick rusting steel standing on edge, twist and turn and invite the viewer to walk through. Even without being claustrophobic, standing between the towering tilting metal sheets was a bit unnerving. But being unsettled was no doubt the point.

While walking through the exhibit spaces and viewing the permanent collection was interesting and provocative, the real star is the building itself. I believe the correct adjective would be iconic.