Roadside Attraction: Guggenheim Bilbao---Sketches of Spain Part 1

As a few of our tiny but loyal circle of readers have embarked on summer travels in places that have actually experienced warm weather, we have received some digital postcards from them, along with some illuminating comments. Today we're posting George Havelka's photos and review of the Guggenheim Bilbao because it was actually designed as a roadside (or more properly, harbor-side) attraction.  George is an enthusiastic amateur art and architectural historian, as you'd maybe not expect from someone trained in economics. In line with our tradition (starting today) of posting guest editorials, his notes are in italics... 

Guggenheim review: 

Growing up in Chicago l learned Louis Sullivan’s maxim FoFoFu...Form Follows Function, which was the foundation of the modernist movement that expanded throughout the world in the 20C. All of Gehry’s architecture is a refutation of FoFoFu, in that there are few connections between what’s happening inside his buildings and what it looks like outside. However dislocated and ‘inorganic’ his creations, they do present the viewer with myriad curious forms as well as incredible construction challenges. Seemingly without regard to cost, metal sheathing, curved tile work, vast spaces without purpose (other than presenting space between things) are built as a visual delight to encounter. (But for what purpose?  It’s kinda hedonistic). Hopefully, someone coming along soon will unite Gehry’s visual candy store with the firm grounding of FoFoFu. 

As to the Art inside:

For all the exterior scale, the interior has few galleries, though each is quite large and very tall. Inside the galleries are few works. We weren’t moved by any of the art. (Except the Serra installation). So I’d say if it wasn’t for the draw of the building, you wouldn’t go there for the art. 

Next?  More prehistoric cave art. 

Photo Credits:  All photos were graciously provided longtime reader, sometime contributor and old friend George Havelka, who also provided the essay. These were intriguing to me as the Guggenheim Bilbao is still on my list of roadside attractions to visit. In our Archives, Mr. Havelka also provided photos for "Roadside Attraction:  Rolling Sculpture at the North Carolina Museum of Art", from Dec. 31, 2016.