Guggenheim Museum

12/14/2014

Disappointing to say the least. As is always the case, it is luck of the draw on special exhibitions and this one was a real Zero (pun intended). If you want to see the real collection I would recommend the Guggenheim branch in Venice. Otherwise go to NY MOMA - don't waste your time here. Bathrooms are disgusting too.

8/8/2014

I would only go here again if it was free.  Between the high cost of admission and the no photo rule, with staff everywhere watching you and your camera phone like gestapo, it wasn't worth it.  Especially after spending time at the Metropolitan and MoMa.  
There were some interesting art works but again I would never go back unless it was free.

1/4/2014

The building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright - and is impressive by itself.

Go during their "pay what you wish" hours, from 5:45-7:45pm on Saturdays. There is usually a long line outside the museum on Saturday evenings but it moves quickly. When I went my wait was approximately 20 minutes, but I've heard of the wait getting up to 45 minutes on some weekends.

I think this museum is something to check out during the "pay what you wish" hours, but I don't think it's worth a $22 regular admission ticket.

Once you're inside I would either use the elevator or the stairs to get all the way up to the top level. Start your visit at the top and then walk down.

Oh, and take your flash off.

3/5/2014

I had an amazing time at the Guggenheim Museum! I love museums and this one is top on my list!

The large color display at the very beginning of the museum is just amazing! They having seating so that you can look up at the egged shaped lighting while some people just lay on the floor to enjoy it! I would not suggest looking at it for long or else it can cause a headache.

The most amazing experience I have ever had at a museum was the James Turrell collection! Absolutely amazing! The lines were crazy long to get into some of his exhibits but definitely well worth it.

I had a great time at the museum and the best part is that it is literally steps away from Central Park!

5/11/2013

We decided to check this museum out on a rainy day, which a perfect alternative to being outside.

Lobby with above exhibit: yelp.com/biz_photos/gugg…

- Overall, it's really interesting. I liked the exhibits even the ones that were kind of out there.
- Entrance fee is $18.
- Coat check line can be a bit long.
- No pictures from what I can recall can be taken except in the lobby.
- Bathrooms are really small.
- Definitely worth a stop.
- Staff was pretty friendly though I didn't get much of an answer for one of the exhibits.

Definitely worth a stop for any tourist coming to NYC.

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  Middle of the Museum exhibit

  Middle of the Museum exhibit

7/6/2014

Four stars, but it is mostly due to the fact that I was more amazed with the building itself rather than the art works.

I am not that into modern arts and more often, I don't really get what the artists were trying to tell me. I feel that the more recent the art pieces, the less I'm likely to understand them. I like the pieces that were painted in the late 1800's and early 1900's more. I think this was my first time seeing original paintings by Picasso.

Now for the building itself, I was surprised to find out that it has been around for over 60 years. It felt modern and could had been built 5 years ago. I like to think that it is also another piece of art in itself.

7/26/2014

Unless you are an art expert, don't bother.  The art isn't explained well, which makes this a waste of $22 to the layman.  Go across the street to the Metropolitan.

11/15/2013

This building is more of something to view from the inside than an art exhibit.
In fact, in terms of art, this is probably my least favorite of the museums.
If you want modern, you might as well go to MoMa if you haven't gone already.

The building itself is really pretty but i doubt that this building would be nearly as popular for art if it wasn't for that.

11/11/2014

A great museum for family and for a tourism trip. First of all, I love the architecture of the building, since it is creative and lovely, so you don't skip any of the exhibits. Unfortunately, one star is gone because for the price, I would expect so many more pieces of artwork, but there were only a few side exhibits and I wanted more exhibits. The art just felt a bit similar. But, the selection that they had was remarkable. Such simplicity adds another element to art, since the simple brush strokes make contemporary art so much more meaningful. I love the diversity of different artists and their genius. Definitely a tourist trap, but art is art. It wasn't too congested inside and the art was out there, no squinting. Overall, a wonderful museum.

12/31/2013

Hit or miss.

I *LOVED* it the last time I visited. And on this visit, we loved Vasily Kandinsky in Paris, especially "Dominant Curve".

We were not, however, huge fans of Christopher Wool.

Be careful of who's works are on display when you visit, as this time Wool dominated all floors, whereas I don't recall that being the case on my previous visit.

1/25/2014

I like this museum because it has an intimate feel. You can get close to the art. Also, you can walk through in a couple of hours depending on how long you linger over each piece. It contains mostly modern art with good pieces from Picasso.

I would suggest going for the architecture of the building. It is a circular building that spirals up/down. I suggest walking to the top and working your way down.

The exhibits sometimes take up a good portion of the museum levels. Such as the Christopher Wool exhibit... It took up most of the floors.

Call ahead or check the website to find out what is going on before your visit. They were deinstalling an exhibit the last time I went and many floors were not accessible. However, they were only charging $16.

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• See all photos from Dina S. for Guggenheim Museum

7/1/2014

I love the guggenheim! I put my 11 month old son in the carrier and off we went. My favorite part about it is the actual building. It looks like a spaceship that just landed by central park and it's so much more interesting than a typical museum. This most recent time I went the exhibition was Italian Futurism and it was wonderful. Lots of beautiful pieces and cool descriptions to go along with it. My only gripe is that it's a bit pricey at $22 a pop, and they don't seem to have a deal, like free on Mondays or suggested donation. Still, definitely worth it!!

11/22/2014

I am torn about how to review this museum. On one side the architecture is very well thought-out. You usually struggle in an art museum to design an itinerary within the museum to look at all the artwork. In other museums, many times you need to do to passing through the same room to look at the art displayed along the two opposite walls. Not in the Guggenheim. The architecture is very well designed, giving a nice clear route to follow, allowing you to enhance your attention on the art, and forget about the navigation.

On the negative side, the temporary art exhibition of the German post-WWII art movement called ZERO, which took most of the space in the museum, was not appealing at all to my personal taste.

So great museum to go... for the right exhibition.

10/12/2014

Overall the museum was great but unfortunately we came at a time when the whole of the main central space was being refurbished and this slightly hindered our experience.  I felt that the guggenheim in Bilbao was overall  better but still some of the Art is phenomenal.

5/5/2014

Fell in love with this museum together with my friends and my sister.. The italian futurism showcased the future back as early as 1913, wow!

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  Guggen!

  Guggen!

12/14/2013

I agree, AOK with the other reviewers.  It is a manageable museum but felt a little thin on exhibits vs other museums.  The building is cool, we wound all the way around the circular ramp to the top and then worked our way down.

For the price, I think there are other museums that will offer more stimulus.

I did appreciate that it wasn't too crowded

7/26/2014

Unfortunately, I felt pretty let down when I came here. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but since Frank Lloyd Wright has been my favorite architect since I was a kid, I HAD to come.

My brother was in town, so we were exploring the museums a bit. He suggested coming here so on the train we jumped. The great thing is that they give a military discount so we got in free (my wonderful little bro is in the Army.)

I think he and I have the same taste when it comes to art. Neither of us are huge art freaks but neither of us like modern or abstract art. The main exhibit was called "Futurism." We DID love the Van Gogh and Picasso and the classics. That was pretty much the only good part. Even the museum shops were lame.

We both left saying "thank goodness we didn't pay for that." It truly wasn't that bad, especially if you're interested in the art they exhibit. But unless there's a special exhibit I'd like to see, I probably won't be back soon.

9/5/2013

Thanks yelp for the "Meh. I've experienced better" option!  That phrase and its corresponding two stars perfectly identify my thoughts and bitter reflections on the Guggenheim.

I have no qualms paying $20 or so for an intellectually rapt adventure into the imaginative depths of well-accomplished artists and their work.  No qualms with that.

I do have some reservations paying anymore than the change in my pocket to walk around the Guggenheim.  I'm a big Frank Lloyd Wright guy, and I may certainly be in the minority on this one, but I truly believe he designed a better maze than art museum.

Mazes can be plenty fun, but not when they yield underwhelming exhibits and astonishingly limited selections of art.  I'm also a bit surprised they have yet to rename this place the Wassily Kandinsky Museum of Art because he seems to be the only artist they felt comfortable showcasing.  Literally every painting there (except for a straggling few more notable paintings by more gifted artists) was a Kandinsky piece.  I didn't know Guggenheim was synonymous with an overly-praised-Russian-pure-modernist.  But, that's all just my opinion.

I went last week (late August 2013) and there were very few of their permanent collections actually out on the floor.  The James Turrell light exhibition downstairs was anything but riveting.  People were laying down in a designated area looking up at the ceiling as the colors changed and shifted between hues.  You'd be smart to bet that I wasn't laying with them, but at a quick glance, it really appeared as though most of these spectators had their eyes closed napping after an exhaustedly drawn-out waste of a trip through the maze of Guggenheim.

The curators were helpful though... They told my buddy and me that one of the 40-minute lines for yet another James Turrell-nonsense-light-exhibition wasn't worth the wait.  They were also the ones who told us that most of the permanent collection of which the Guggenheim proudly boasts was locked away to make room for more Kandinsky and Turrell pieces than any sane person should ever have to endure.  I'm sure the curators would have had equally good recommendations on better museums to check out around the area.

5/21/2013

This is a very aesthetically pleasing museum, from the outside its wonderful and modern!

The entire museum is filled with white stark walls which just makes the art pop even more. I loved the blown glass hanging from the ceiling as you walk in, I could stare at it for hours.

I think the current exhibit is asian culture, so I didn't really get a lot of it, but I still enjoyed the museum. I loved that it's a ramp all the way up to the top, though I was a little sad to learn you couldn't take pictures.

10/1/2013

I like the Googs in theory but not in practice. On one hand, I get to stand in an OMGFrankLloydWright structure, but on the other hand I'm not sure the design provides an optimal art-viewing experience. Museums sometimes overwhelm me because I need to feel like I'm seeing everything and not missing a section or room. The Googs doesn't really help with that anxiety.

I came here for the first time in like 10 years to see the James Turrell light exhibit with my mom. We bought our tickets beforehand and arrived at the museum at about 11:30. I wanted to get there even earlier to beat the rush, but we didn't make it. This is still a good time to beat ticket lines, though.

So the Turrell light installation "Aten Reign (2013)" in the main atrium was really cool. I've never done any hallucinatory drugs, but I imagine that viewing "Aten Reign" provides a similar experience. It's amazing how much color can impact mood. I'm still trying to decide, though, if it was worth the $20+ admission.

We walked through the permanent exhibits pretty quickly - I'm disappointed that the museum doesn't have more art in its permanent collection. Nothing really struck me as mind-blowing or OMG-I'm-so-glad-I-came-to-the-Googs-today-because-­this-piece-of-art-changed-my-life.

THEN, we got to the top floor to view the main Turrell exhibit, and I wish we had started at the top and worked our way down. The waiting time to enter the exhibit was at least an hour. I HATE waiting for things, especially things that I'm not sure I will enjoy. I really didn't feel like waiting, and my mom and I decided to skip out. I sort of feel guilty for not staying, but come on.

So can anyone tell me if the Turrell exhibit was worth the waiting time? I need to know.

5/5/2014

I've been here twice; once a decade ago and I remember it being pretty cool, variety of modern art, but not as great as the MOMA.

And again recently, but on a Thursday,  which is apparently the day they are closed. Now, I'm sure they advertise that somewhere, and I even saw it in SMALL print on the back of the NY CityPass ticket once I bothered to analyze it, but it looks like I was just one of MANY tourists that were caught off guard by this that day.

I make a big deal of this because maybe others will read here and not make the same mistake of coming on the closed Thursdays.

11/5/2014

Got here to buy something at the shop 5 minutes before they close. The security guy told me it was closed in an incredible rude way. I understand they are there to secure the place but there is no need of being an ass with a customer.

5/8/2014

I really enjoyed my first visit to the Guggenheim. Though it was for an event that only gave us access to the exterior galleries, the careful detail that was put into the design of this museum is impeccable. The entire structure is a ramp that slowly and gradually winds its way to the top and featured exhibits are on display as you wind around. The Eastern walls all have little inlets where additional, small galleries display more work. I would love to come back to wander through those rooms. Everyone who worked for the Guggenheim was friendly, personable and professional (until you try to take your glass of wine up the ramp).

5/24/2014

You know what they do? They charge you $22 for general admission or $18 for students... and you forgot how pricy it is and how angry you are once you take a few spins around each circular floor, become dizzy, and want out of it. Touche.

For the admission price, you can get a larger variety in different time periods and art styles at the MET or MOMA.
The collections are small for each time period. The pieces that were curated seemed more like pieces in separate galleries as opposed to a unification in the same museum.

The bag check is also in this cubby hole next to the bathroom which is a high-foot-traffic-nightmare.

Only commendable thing is the cafe. First time I've seen fresh honeydew juice being served.

6/1/2014

The structure itself was a beautiful piece of art.  incredible lines and shadows.  A place i had always wanted to visit.

There was a nice exhibit about artistic spaces in other cities of the world (Participatory City: 100 Urban Trends from the BMW Guggenheim), but the exhibited art in November 2013 I was not a fan of.

The art - well, 60% of it, was way above (or below) my artistic comprehension.

Probably won't return.

1/27/2013

I love the layout of the Guggenheim - it is perfect to see an exhibit instead of walking around a never ending maze of rooms (hoping not to miss a room).  And who can forget Clive Owen's shootout scene from The International (shot in a replica of the Guggenheim)?

I detest, no I actually hate, that you can't take pictures of the art.  I understand flash photography or getting too close, but zero pictures are allowed.  Security will even scold you for checking your cell phone for a text/email (they must have an hourly harassment quota because I must have been scolded 10 times for looking at my phone). I caught Picasso's Black and White exhibit (and felt black and blue afterwards).  

With Central Park nearby, you can go for a stroll afterwards or check out Earl's Beer & Cheese (cash only) for an awesome casual lunch.

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  Picasso - Woman Ironing

  Picasso - Woman Ironing
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8/28/2013

I liked this museum personally, but still should settle with 3 stars due to some flaws compared to other museums in the city (notably, Met and MOMA).

What I liked:
- Great selection of surrealism and late impressionism; especially Kandinsky and Picasso.

What I didn't like:
- Very small selection
- Price is too steep for the selection.  They only carry a selection that is worth an hour of exhibition, but the student ticket was 18 dollars.  It's almost 1.5 times MOMA (the size of selection is at least 2-3 times bigger) and like infinite times Met (since it is technically a donation).
- strict prohibition of photographing: I just don't see why they have to do it and other museums don't.

So, I guess this place is a must if (1) you wanna see a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece or (2) you are in love with either Picasso or Kandinsky.  Or else, use your discretion for this place.

12/30/2014

Pricey compared to the other museums, but the works are wonderful! (Current exhibition: Zero) I especially loved the sculptures. In addition to paintings, there were films and light shows which were pretty neat to watch. I also liked the little reading room that had iPads at the back to view past exhibits.  Main complaint is that it was very crowded so looking at the pieces was difficult at times. Overall, would recommend to art lovers!

4/18/2014

Great museum to visit to look at an extensive collection of art. Prices are a bit high, but there are deals on the internet (I got a deal on Travelzoo for my visit). Overall excellent experience. Just be prepared for a long line to get in, and depending on the day you go, a ton of people.

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• See all photos from Mowsuf U. for Guggenheim Museum

2/24/2014

There were 2 sculptures on the first level that I was really drawn to and that's about it. The building itself is beautiful sculpted so it is a piece of art on its own. I wasn't really impressed with much else. All the other art work save the ones by well-known artist was a bit pedestrian.

The most offensive pieces in my opinion were the mannequins displaying garments on level 5 or 6. What in the world? The garments looked schizophrenic and dingy. One of the mannequins had a head piece similar to what a jester would wear. Just didn't make any sense to me.

1/14/2014

The museum itself is very appealing but of the three times I've gone, I just wasn't into what was on display. For Modern Art, go to Moma.  Love the design, though. Circular ramp so you can walk by everything. I like to walk straight to the top then browse my way down.

The Kandinsky exhibit was fantastic.

9/5/2013

First and foremost, I would suggest going during the PAY WHAT YOU WISH time, specifically, Saturdays 5:45 to 7:45pm, due to this museum's high FAIL rate. Regular admission is 22.00 (18.00 for students). Note that there will be a long line of other freeloaders (I mean that in the most loving way) so the earlier you get there, the less you have to wait to get in.

Although I will admit I am not a big fan of abstract art to begin with, I have been known to like some of it, or at least be intrigued by certain pieces. I may not love the style overall but I can at least look and find something I appreciate about it.  And I will give credit where credit is due. There was nothing intriguing here, everything was very underwhelming and dull. I really couldn't find anything I liked. That being said, if you are a big fan of abstract art, you may see it differently. But personal preference doesn't change the fact that the collection is limited, I was like - is this really it?? We were pretty much in and out.

Oh and if you are vehemently opposed to abstract art and are the type of person that finds him/herself often saying UM WHAT THAT'S NOT ART, MY 2 YEAR OLD CAN PAINT THAT IN HIS DIAPER, then obviously don't even bother going.

The best part of this museum is the cool building. The gift store is just OK.

3/3/2013

There are 2 reasons why you should come to this museum.

#1: Architecture of the exterior of the museum
#2: With a kid, it is incredibly hard to enjoy a museum or even stop to appreciate the exhibits.  (It was black and white Picasso when we went.)  That being said, this museum you just walk up, around and around til you reach the top and then you're done!  There are no extensions or other rooms to venture into which cuts down time that you spend in the museum, thereby decreasing the chances of a melt down.

Now I do have 2 criticisms of the museum.  
#1: The bathrooms need changing tables.  When I asked one of the employees about a bathroom that had a changing table, she directed me to either one on the ground floor or on another floor.  And the bathroom on the ground floor is just one stall!  So you have this long line of people trying to use the bathroom and it being one of two bathrooms with a changing table you can see how it can be problematic.
#2: Museum needs better crowd control or maybe crowd direction.  Mid to late morning, it is just crazy and everyone bunches around the bottom of the museum because they're either trying to use the bathroom, check their bags, and/or get headphones for the audio tour.

9/27/2013

The Guggenheim is a wondeful museum, and a piece of art all in itself. But it is not the best place to see art.  The critics of Frank Lloyd Wright have that part correct.

Still, it is a stunning building and worth a trip just to see the space. They get interesting shows, and have always been on the cutting edge, much like the Hirshorn in Washington DC.

Skip the APP, and the museums WiFi is useless.

12/16/2014

I was sorely disappointed in much of the "art" there. Give me more Picasso, Monet, Degas please! The majority of the pieces I could have constructed myself and for the oh so expensive admission of $20, there were not many pieces to see. Totally not worth your money. Save it and go to another NYC museum as there are many others to satisfy your interests.

3/9/2013

The Guggenheim.  One of my favorite architectural gems in this city.  I can't believe it  took me over 5 years of living here to get inside.  I finally got to visit back in December for a modern design talk hosted by a fantastic Danish architect and got a peak at Picasso's Black and White collection.  

The presentation took place downstairs inside Peter B. Lewis Theater.  The round room is large and bright, has a large screen, even larger curved stage and surprisingly comfortable seats.  

Back upstairs we stood in the middle of the rotunda & sipped drinks before heading up to the galleries (*no food or drinks allowed in the galleries*).  Just to stand in the middle and look up was something amazing, if you have the opportunity to visit the museum at night I highly recommend you do... the white & glass ceiling has such a dramatic effect at night.

While I didn't love the exhibit itself I did love walking up and around Frank Lloyd Wright's building.  I'm sure this will sound totally elementary- but I love the ramp, should you miss anything on the way up... you can check it out on your way back down.

As far as I'm concerned there are only a couple things to note as negatives for the Gugg.  1) the price.  For the amount of artwork (architecture of building excluded) actually on display $22 seems a bit steep.  2) no photography permitted anywhere.  Um, apparently unless you have a cell phone.  I don't see the logic there... no DSLR's (even if you don't use a flash) but a cell phone camera is OK.  Can someone explain that one to me?

Overall- I had a fabulous time at the Gugg.  As an architecture and design nerd it remains one of my favorite buildings in the city and I'm glad I finally got to visit.

6/2/2013

I like the Met and the MoMA. I do. I appreciate their enormous collections, but sometimes the FOMO (fear of missing out) kicks in, and I feel the need to go to every single room and it can become very exhausting.

A visit to the Guggenheim will honestly last no more than 2 hours. It's the perfect amount of time for an afternoon stroll with friends, for an opportunity to see your date's artistic side, or to get some quality alone time. The architecture of the museum is art by itself. Since you'll be wandering the museum by just spiraling around and around, you'll never miss an art piece, either. The setup also allows you to (creepily) look down and people watch by watching people who are watching people...watching people.

There is no photography allowed in the museum except in the main lobby area. Museum staff members will politely ask those with cameras and phones to put them away. Sometimes, they are a little too polite.

--5:15pm-7pm on Saturdays: pay as you wish (not free!)
--first weekend of each month: free for Bank of America members

Also, MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE EXHIBIT CALENDAR (guggenheim.org/new-york/…). Plan ahead!!!! If there is no main exhibit showing at the time of your visit, the main spiraling ramps and rotunda will be closed off and only the smaller side rooms will be open.  Half the enjoyment of this museum is to observe the artwork hung on the walls along the spiraling ramps, so be sure a large exhibit is showing at the time of your visit.

Likelihood of another visit:
Very likely...after I check the exhibit calendar!!

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  Christopher Wool exhibit (October '13 to January '14)

  Christopher Wool exhibit (October '13 to January '14)
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  Christopher Wool exhibit (October '13 to January '14)

  Christopher Wool exhibit (October '13 to January '14)
• See all photos from Maki Y. for Guggenheim Museum

3/5/2013 Updated review

Do you know why I love looking at art? Because it's the only time I shut the eff up.  Nah, kidding aside, I love art because I can see a piece of work and it brings out all kinds of hidden emotions within me.  Angst, rage, nervousness, hopelessness, love, serenity, confusion...without batting an eyelash or speaking what's on my mind to anyone.  It's a level of deep connection only I can feel within and make sense of.

I came to the Gugg to check out Gutai: Splendid Playground, a collection of Japanese avant-garde paintings, photos, sculptures.  What is avant-garde?  I could give you the "dictionary definition," but to me, it's the stuff that makes you take a large paintbrush, dip it into a plaster of red, and then just slap the sh*t out of the canvas.  Not worrying about staying within the lines, or conformity, but rather having your emotions bleed upon a sea of white.  Taking a step back, breathing, then taking a smaller paintbrush, with another color, like yellow, and running the brushstrokes in the opposite direction, moving it away from that "pissed-off-ness" to a gentler space of acceptance and kindness.  It's a juxtaposition of feelings, of highs and lows, of strengths and weaknesses, of acceptance and disatification with status quo, it's art.  

What's amazing about the Gugg is that if you're a BofA member, you can actually visit for free.  Cool right?  

Personally, it's one of my fav museums, because of its contemporary nature.  And by contemporary, I don't necessarily mean, "hip," but rather the type of art, we can all relate to.

9/5/2013

I wasn't very much impressed. Not that it was bad or anything, it has a few masterpieces and its famous rotunda but in a cultural and artsy city like NY, it doesn't hold it's weight with the best.

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  James Turrell light exhibit

  James Turrell light exhibit
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  James Turrel exhibit

  James Turrel exhibit

9/20/2014

The worst museum I have ever been to. The famous exhibits are not on display. Walking in the building is a horrible experience. The building was built to make people sick.