Guggenheim Museum New York Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Year-Long Program

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, an icon of 20th-century architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened its doors on October 21, 1959. To mark its 60th anniversary, the museum has planned a series of initiatives throughout 2019, including special events and tours that explore its history and lesser-visited spaces. The building's design, conceived between 1943-46 and 1956-59, reflects Wright's mature period and his concept of "organic" architecture, integrating nature and form. The spiral structure, inspired by natural forms and the upward movement of the human spirit, was originally intended as a parking garage. For the anniversary, the museum will expand its opening hours to seven days a week, with extended hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The exhibition program features a retrospective of abstract painter Hilma af Klint, a show dedicated to 2018 Hugo Boss Prize winner Simone Leigh, and focuses on Robert Mapplethorpe and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Special guided tours for families and children will explore Wright's building, along with drawing workshops. The Wright restaurant and Cafe 3 will update their menus with dishes favored by the museum's founders. Several blogs will feature writers and architecture experts sharing stories about the Guggenheim. A social media hashtag, #Guggenheim60, will encourage visitors to share their experiences.