The Solomon Guggenheim Museum in New York

How the museum building appeared

After World War II, industrialist and art collector Solomon Guggenheim decided to build a new building for his growing collection of artworks. By that time, he already owned the Guggenheim Foundation and the Museum of Non-Objective Painting — both organizations were dedicated to promoting contemporary art. However, the existing space at the Museum of Non-Objective Painting quickly became insufficient for the expanding collection and lacked a distinctive appeal.

Guggenheim agreed and purchased the necessary plot. Wright was thrilled — now he could finally build something of his own in the center of Manhattan. Not to gain further fame, but to show that the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art "looked like an old barn."

How the Guggenheim Museum works

The Solomon Guggenheim Museum features a complex design that took the architect over ten years to plan. By the time the building was completed in 1959, both Wright and Guggenheim had passed away, but their efforts were not in vain. The Guggenheim Museum stands as one of the most notable buildings in New York City, used as a filming location for nearly all movies about space and the distant future.

Inside, the museum is as futuristic, rounded, and pristine white as it is on the outside. Visitors take an elevator to the top seventh floor and then view the exhibition by descending a spiraling ramp. Adjacent to this spiral are several halls where temporary exhibitions are usually housed. As visitors descend, the visual perspective shifts, allowing them to see something new in the same artworks when looking back.

A distinct advantage of the museum is its lighting. Thanks to the transparent dome at the center of the roof, the building benefits from an abundance of natural light.

What to see in the Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon Guggenheim Museum hosts a permanent collection featuring works by seminal artists such as:

• Wassily Kandinsky
• Pablo Picasso
• Piet Mondrian
• Vincent van Gogh
• Paul Gauguin
• Camille Pissarro
• Kazimir Malevich
• Édouard Manet
• Marc Chagall

These artists, though revolutionary in their time, are considered classics today.

The museum is renowned for its temporary exhibitions, often featuring contemporary art from around the globe. In recent years, the Guggenheim has held extensive exhibitions showcasing modern art from China, Africa, Russia, Italy, and Latin American countries. Alongside paintings, these exhibits typically include installations and host performances and film screenings as part of thematic presentations.

The Mystery of the Golden Toilet

One of the most famous exhibits at the museum, which has been delighting visitors for several years, is a functional golden toilet. Yes, it is truly made of gold and fully operational. Those who wish to use it may have to endure a queue, stand next to a guard, and, of course, truly desire to experience it. But as experience shows, the prospect of a golden toilet magically accelerates metabolism.

Contemporary art can be understood, or not, but it certainly shouldn't be ignored. At the very least, you'll have entertaining stories for social gatherings. At best, it might touch you, catch you, and be loved.