Frank Gehry's Museum Design: Bilbao to Abu Dhabi
In a conversation with Jean-Philippe Peynot, Juan Ignacio Vidarte, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao's director and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi project leader, elaborates on his partnership with architect Frank Gehry. Gehry was selected unanimously from a shortlist that featured Arata Isozaki and Coop Himmelblau, thanks to a sketch that reflected a deep understanding of the project's goals. To adhere to budget limitations, the design shifted to focus on a central atrium. Gehry's vision allows for a variety of artworks, including those by Kandinsky and Ernesto Neto. While he maintained positive relationships with artists, he did not collaborate directly on site-specific installations. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, also designed by Gehry, is scheduled to open in December 2017.
Key facts
- Frank Gehry was chosen unanimously for the Guggenheim Bilbao project from a shortlist including Arata Isozaki and Coop Himmelblau.
- The initial sketch already defined the main volumes and site integration.
- Budget constraints led to a simplified configuration around a central atrium.
- The museum required spaces that could simultaneously display diverse artworks like an Ernesto Neto sculpture and a Kandinsky watercolor.
- Site-specific commissions were made for Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, and Richard Serra, but without direct artist-architect collaboration.
- Richard Serra's 'The Matter of Time' was created specifically for a gallery designed by Gehry.
- The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, also by Gehry, is scheduled to open in December 2017.
- Vidarte warns against simplistic 'Guggenheim effect' or 'Gehry effect' interpretations.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Gehry
- Juan Ignacio Vidarte
- Jean-Philippe Peynot
- Arata Isozaki
- Coop Himmelblau
- Ernesto Neto
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Jenny Holzer
- Jeff Koons
- Richard Serra
Institutions
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Fondation Louis Vuitton
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
- Archistorm
Locations
- Bilbao
- Spain
- Paris
- France
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Saadiyat Island
Sources
- artpress —