solomon r. guggenheim expressions of two editors with different backgrounds.
— cihan küçük
new york museums have a crucial place in the development of all the museums both for the collections and architecture. solomon r. guggenheim is one of the leading examples of this.
although moma was the first one to give up from temple-like museum architecture, we can not deny that guggenheim took its place in museum history with its architecture since the day it was opened (1959).
— yağmur rüzgar
solomon r. guggenheim museum is made up of a six-storey platform with a continuous swirl form.
this form distinguishes the structure in manhattan's view amongst the surrounding buildings and reflects an even more intense impact on the interior.
designed as an uninterrupted ramp, it aims to offer visitors a different experience than they ever had before. actually visitors were expected to go to the top with the elevator and visit the exhibition down from there. but general habits have prevented this plan from being implemented. for this reason, today's exhibitions are designed upwards from the entrance rather than the plan.
guggenheim's continuous ramp keeps visitors constantly in motion. the ramp is divided into galleries, but the continuity of the movement prevents large groups from forming inside. for example, in guggenheim you can not see the crowds in front of the works like you encounter at moma.
it’s important to keep in mind that the building, which was opened in 1959, was far ahead of its time in architecture. it’s possible to see cracks and holes from old exhibitions on the walls. the museum has an annual average of 1 million visitors an is being painted by a special team each and every week.
guggenheim deserves a praise with its form that has destroyed the tabular of its period. although it’s constantly criticized for its understanding of museology, it must be remembered as one of the flagships of all the museums.
its bold and yet neat appearance designed by frank lloyd wright invites the people to explore inside.
the floors looking into a common courtyard aren’t divided into separate flats which creates a visibility and interaction for the visitors through different levels.
the architecture of the museum aims to direct the route of the visitors, forms the shape of the furnitures and—according to some artists and critics— even competes with the artworks that are presented in.