Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Rising Mist

Guggenheim's Bilbao Museum is an exquisite display of contemporary Architecture. Formally designed to showcase art, the building morphs seamlessly into a sculptural case of Architecture-as-Art. Frank Gehry's masterpiece transcends style labels like deconstructivism while standing on its own sublime aesthetics. The building owes its design to maritime references characteristic of port cities like Bilbao. Ship-like, it floats on a moat as rising mist envelops it in a fantastic hourly show of engineering prowess.

Ode to Fish

Fundamentally, the building is an ode to fish, Bilbao's historical sustenance from the bay of Biscay. The Guggenheim's titanium panels evoking scales glimmer in the shifting light and shine like shimmering glimpses of gigantic fish in the surrounding water.

Tall Tree & The Eye

It's shape-shifting, mercurial nature makes this museum a good player when teamed up with installation art as, for example, the way Anish Kapoor's sculpture Tall Tree & The Eye is embraced by the building, each complementing the other.

Tulips

Another case of art partnering well with it's host building is the interplay between Koon's reflective and colorful Tulips with the atrium's glass and the surrounding metal panels.

Half-heart Silhouette

Walking around such a rich and intricate building take the opportunity to discover and enjoy infinite possible abstractions. Half-heart shaped negative spaces formed by limestone nooks appear overhead.

Abstract Odyssey

Space-like metal and glass abstract compositions reminiscent of science fiction movies like 2001 A Space Odyssey can be seen when the lighting is right. There's eye candy everywhere.

Massing

Architecturally, the massing is impressive. No wimpy building, this. Each cluster is massive, accentuated by light glass and shiny metal.

Entry Sequence

The entry sequence is clear and though large, respectful of the human scale. Walking toward the entrance is almost processional with a welcoming finale.

Atrium Tower

The interior circulation is organized around a central atrium tower, as anticipated: the large glass expanse previously visible from the exterior now opens up to views outward, making a relatively small and crowded central core appear spacious.

Undulating Atrium

Galleries radiating out and elevators climbing up and down add orderly dynamism and excitement to the undulating atrium that's been likened to a flower.

A Matter of Time

Adjacent the atrium is the largest gallery space currently housing the magnificent installation "The Matter of Time" by Richard Serra, the cast-iron labyrinth channels on-lookers into an interactive stroll: it's a "matter of time" getting through it, depending on personal viewing styles.

Gallery Cube

Other spaces reveal that representational, two-dimensional art is almost inconsequential to the Architecture. The best art pieces offer new ways of contemplating reality and are nurtured by the museum's modernity. Galleries flow in and out of circulation. One singular form of caramel-colored sandstone celebrates the unique piece crowning each exhibit; a masonry gallery cube, visible from the vestibule, high up the atrium, is tantalizing and intriguing to explore.  Discovering the treasure within is the reward, larger than the prize of the artwork itself and it is this process of exploration that Frank Gehry proves himself as the master of anticipation.

Approaching the Guggenheim, Bibao

Matterhorn - Monte Cervino

Materhorn - Monte Cervino

Spectacular Switzerland! This alpine country in central Europe is stunningly beautiful. Sheer cliffs and deep gorges define the landscape while meticulous attention to detail define the character of its people and Swiss society. It's a clean and orderly place, a pleasure to enjoy.

Matterhorn

Among the many mountains that make up the Alps, majestic Matterhorn is a national landmark and an international icon. It is also known as Monte Cervino and Mont Cervin. Kudos to the Swiss for keeping it pristine while accessible. The secret to the area's unspoiled appearance is that cars are off limit for miles around. The best way to experience the peak's stark glory is to drive to Taesch from which only rail is available to the next town. The train from Taesch to Zermatt is modern but from Zermatt to the last stop in Gornergrat the train is vintage open air cogwheel rail.  All trains are electric, clean, and quiet.

Breakfast At Gornergrat

Once in Gornergrat the view, if not clouded over, is spellbinding. This is the final destination for most everyone. The vast majority board the train back to Zermat after enjoying the restaurant at the top of the world, or simply taking in the fantastic view.

Matterhorn Zen Duckies

At this elevation glaciers flow at their geological speed undisturbed by rumors of global warming while man-made duckies are erected and torn down at the relative speed of lightning. Like in a giant Japanese garden with sculptures witnessing the passage of time these zen duckies partake in the ebb and flow of the ages.

Alpine Cross

Wandering further afield away from this small outpost of civilization reveals a rugged, untamed terrain. The occasional sign of man seems like a futile imposition on a cold, foreign world. A lonely alpine cross, for example, looks more like a forlorn attempt than a symbol of redemption, its incongruous setting a surreal expression of humanity.

It's not an entirely hostile environment and in spite of the thin air and cold rock life has a foothold here, however precarious.

Alpine Flower

Yellow alpine flowers bloom impossibly out of the crushed granite.

Blue Flowers of Matterhorn

Blue flower accents punctuate the alpine landscape against exhilarating backdrops while snow blankets distant mountains with pure white clouds floating around in a piercing blue sky.

Matterhorn Ruin

Traces of failed attempts at domesticating this otherwise pristine environment crop up along the trail down to the next train station. On a fine day some may meander station to station ever mindful that the weather may change in an instant. Hiking is moderately hard and an abandoned stone structure, now partially standing in ruins, attests to a difficult land with one rock wall still holding a window into the alps.

Window Into the Alps

Those brave and optimistic souls who know the area venture to fish the few glacial lakes that pool along the way, if not for catching fish, then for experiencing a quiet, peaceful afternoon.

Fishing Lake Matterhorn

It is these lakes gracing monumental mountains with their soft reflection and reassurance of life that make hiking the Alps an inclusive, hospitable experience. The next train stop, though far, is a welcome bittersweet gateway from wilderness back to civilization.

Lakeside Matterhorn