1. History of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Designed by the architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is an outstanding example of groundbreaking 20th-century architecture. We recommend that you begin your visit by browsing through the materials on the history of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao project, as well as the construction of its building, available on the “Guggenheim Institutions” video screens and at the computer stations in this room. (Floor 1, Zero Espazioa)
2. Inside the Museum
Explore Frank Gehry’s intriguing architecture by touring the museum’s wide variety of galleries, strolling along its walkways, and discovering the magnificent outdoor views. (Atrium)
3. Site-Specific Works
Site-specific works by contemporary artists, which engage in dialogue with spaces inside and outside the Frank Gehry building, are an integral component of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao collection. Between the Atrium and Gallery 103A is Jenny Holzer’s Installation for Bilbao (1997), and located in Gallery 104 ArcelorMittal is Richard Serra’s installation The Matter of Time (1994–2005). Outside the museum are site-specific works from the collection by Daniel Buren, Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Yves Klein, Jeff Koons, and Fujiko Nakaya. (Atrium, Gallery 104 ArcelorMittal, and Outside the Museum)
4. Outside the Museum
From the riverfront terrace, note how well the museum is integrated into its urban setting due to the materials used in its construction (titanium, glass, and limestone), as well as its relationship with surrounding buildings and structures such as La Salve Bridge. From here, you may also notice that the exterior of the museum serves as a venue for site-specific works from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao collection, displaying works such as Jeff Koons’s Tulips (1995–2004), Louise Bourgeois’s Maman (1999, cast in 2001), and Daniel Buren’s Arcos rojos (2007), among others. (Floor 1, Riverfront Terrace)
5. Bilbao's New Urban Layout
From the riverfront terrace, we recommend that you stroll around the exterior of the building, before venturing further. In recent years, the city of Bilbao has undergone an astounding transformation. In addition to Frank Gehry, other internationally acclaimed architects such as Santiago Calatrava, Arata Izosaki, and Rafael Moneo have designed buildings and structures that have contributed to this transformation. Walk underneath La Salve Bridge, cross over the Calatrava Bridge, and climb the stairs between the Isozaki Towers to discover the city from other perspectives. (Outside the Museum)