Puppy, by Jeff Koons, at the entrance to the Guggenheim
The immense and flowery body of Puppy forms part of the industrial stamp that embraces the Bilbao estuary. The colossal multicolored Yorkshire devised by Jeff Koons It guards the national headquarters of the ** Guggenheim Foundation ** which turns 15 in October. Three decades have been enough to convert the city of Bilbao into a world artistic reference.
When Spain began to emerge as a cultural power and a very young Alejandro Amenábar enlightened Hollywood screenwriters with 'Abre los ojos', **the Peggy Guggenheim foundation** looked to the prosperous Biscayan capital to host its Spanish headquarters. Five years had passed since the Barcelona Olympics, the Seville Universal Exhibition and the inauguration of the third temple (Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum) of the Madrid Art Triangle.
It was Bilbao's turn : after years cleaning up its buildings, the construction of the museum was the turning point of his architectural awakening . The artistic center guarded by its emblematic titanium and steel frame signed by Frank O Gehry and by her pet Puppy –almost as photographed as the imposing chandelier of the brilliant Louise Bourgeois – She inaugurates adolescence with homework well done: one million visitors a year, 70% foreigners.
Although it will not be until October when it reaches the fortnight , the activities commemorating her anniversary begin to take shape. For now, Jeff Koons's Yorkshire lends his image Until 15 April. Those who send their photo together with Puppy will participate in a contest whose purpose is to gather the 50 most voted images during the month of May in one of the museum's rooms. And the three most coveted will win a prize: a Samsung NX200 Camera, a weekend for two people in a Meliá hotel or a Samsung MV800 camera. The April 19 the results will be published s on their Facebook page and on the museum website .
Do you want one more excuse to drop by the colossus of Bilbao? The sample of two geniuses of sculpture Constantin Brancusi and Richard Serra It closes on April 15.
Any excuse to go back to the Guggenheim Museum