Bill Viola retrospective at Guggenheim Bilbao reveals gaps despite anniversary showcase

From June 30 to November 9, 2017, the Guggenheim Bilbao hosts a retrospective of Bill Viola, marking the museum's 20th anniversary. Viola, who first exhibited there in 1997, embodies themes of renewal. Although the exhibition claims to be thorough, it notably excludes significant pieces such as Nantes Triptych (1992) and The Crossing (1996), with no representation from the 1980s. Most of the 23 showcased works were created after 2000, despite his groundbreaking contributions in the 1970s. Featured pieces include Slowly Turning Narrative (1992) and Four Songs (1976). The exhibition explores themes of passage, extremity, and purification, particularly in Inverted Birth (2014) and Going Forth by Day (2002), requiring over five hours for a complete experience, raising questions about the suitability of retrospectives for Viola's art.