These are examples of Paul’s portrayal of the Guggeheim from different angles at different times of the day; giving you an idea of how versatile the image can be and how Ygartua visualizes its chameleon qualities throughout the day—also showing the unique quality of Ygartua’s interpretation of depicting the same subject in many different dimensions.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece the Guggenheim Museum is home to a world-renowned collection of modern and contemporary art.
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao symbolizes the conversion and urban renewal of the city marked by the industry until the mid-twentieth century.
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: architecture
The building occupies an area of 24,000 square meters, the titanium structure recalls the industrial memory of the place. The plot that houses the museum is 32 500 sqm. It has some special features: on one side it is at the level of the Nervión, ie 16 m below the coast of the city and on the other it is crossed at one end by the colossal La Salve bridge, one of the main entrances to the city.
The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum is a building of incredible architecture. Gehry has pushed the boundaries of modern architecture to use more advanced techniques. To design the irregular shapes and undulating of the building, the Canadian architect has used CATIA, an advanced computer design program. He began by making models and plans of several sizes on paper and wood before realizing the project on huge titanium plates.
The huge structure of Gehry, willing to respect the heritage of Bilbao and fishing town of traditions, evokes a boat shape hovering above the sea. Gehry has been able to focus on the theme of the sea since the museum is located along the Nervion River. The large glass panels that form the center atrium allow to let in plenty of natural light inside the museum. At night, this structure gives another dimension to this “boat”, the center is illuminated by warm colors that reflect off the surface of the outer structure.
“Probably the roughness of the original shape and structure defies the incredible finished architectural masterpiece. Painting it was easy because it is already in an abstract form.
I didn’t need to exaggerate the form, it is free flowing, original and inspirational. It is magnetic and bold –a rare subject that allows me the freedom to represent The Guggenheim as I see it.
I use thick acrylic paint with only the palette knife to bring out the contemporary forms and shapes of the titanium walls. Due to its quality of adapting to its surroundings, it changes shape and colour all day long–from silver to gold like, just like a chameleon, reflecting the buildings that surround it.
I have painted many different angles of the Guggenheim and each time it looks like a different building. It keeps me guessing on how my next interpretation will look like. No matter what colours or style I use it is always a different perception.
It has inspired me and given the people of Bilbao something to be really proud of, as Bilbao now is growing and developing into a beautiful coastal city.”
Close to my Father’s hometown – 20 kilometers away (Gorliz, Vizcaya)
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