There is only one reason to go to see the Guggenheim Bilbao, and it is a very good one: the building. Architect Frank Gehry has achieved a daring, sculptural design that many see as the foretaste of architecture in the third millennium. This building is enough of a reason to visit Bilbao, rather off track from main Spanish touristic areas. But, the town also offers other outstanding architectures and great food.Outside: Spend your time walking around the building, first from a certain distance, and then right under it to capture the details of every curve and shape. Completed in 1997, the building is an extraordinary combination of interconnecting shapes. Orthogonal blocks in limestone contrast with the curved forms covered in titanium. Glass walls provide the building with the light it needs. The half-millimetre thick "fish-scale" titanium panels that cover the building reflect light and water in different ways and colors over the course of each day's 24 hours. It seems impossible that the building actually stands, being so sinuous and contorted. It is amazing! The museum was featured at the beginning of the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough" with Pierce Brosnan.
Inside: Again, it is the building you really want to admire once inside. Curved white walls and steel and glass windows form a post-modern cathedral with huge spaces for art installations. The permanent collection is fine, if you haven't seen any of the other Guggenheim museums. There are works by de Kooning, Rosenquist, Rothko, Serra, Warhol and many other contemporary and avant-guarde artists, in particular Basque and Spanish artists. When I went, there was an interesting exhibition of Giorgio Armani's sartorial creations. (last visit 05/2000)
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