Guggenheim Museum

"To depict a distant emotional memory from many of my visits to the museum, I used simple desktop objects to recreate the iconic architecture masterpiece. Time and people have changed, but the elegance and awe of the museum inside and out endures." —Guggenheim Visitor and Artist Derrick Lin

Ana Mendieta’s "Silueta" series blends performance, sculpture, and nature. After arriving in the U.S. as a Cuban exile, Mendieta began carving feminine forms into the earth, using her body to symbolize the union of land, sea, and sky. Working in Iowa and Mexico, she crafted her "Siluetas" from natural materials like flowers, branches, and fire, drawing on Afro-Cuban rituals and Santeria. These ephemeral works, captured in photos and films, reflect her deep connection to nature and her search for a universal feminine force. Pictured: Ana Mendieta, "Untitled: Silueta Series," 1976; "Untitled: Silueta Series," 1978; "Untitled: Silueta Series," 1979; "Silueta Muerta," 1976. © Estate of Ana Mendieta.

Mark Bradford's "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy" is a bold, layered piece that uses paper, string, and found materials to tell a story of urban life. Drawing from his environment in South Central Los Angeles, Bradford embeds cultural and social references into his works. By piecing together fragments of street posters and signage, Bradford creates a textured surface that feels like it holds the history of the city itself. His work frequently explores themes of identity, race, and power, making it visually striking and deeply meaningful. The title also invites reflection on authority, relationships, and the world around us. This work is on view in "By Way Of: Material and Motion in the Guggenheim Collection". Pictured: Mark Bradford, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy," 2001. © Mark Bradford.

ART MOVEMENT: CONCEPTUAL ART This movement is based on the idea that the true essence of art lies in the concept or idea, which can exist even without a physical object to represent it. Artists like Joseph Kosuth wrote essays challenging traditional notions of how art derives its meaning. Kosuth’s series "First Investigations" (subtitled "Art as Idea as Idea") features photostats of dictionary definitions for words like “water,” “meaning,” and “idea.” Accompanying these images are certificates of documentation and ownership (not meant for display), which state that the works can be created and recreated for exhibitions. This approach reflects Kosuth’s effort to question the special status of unique art objects and their place in museums. Pictured: Joseph Kosuth, "Titled '(Art as Idea as Idea)' [Water]," 1966. © 2024 Joseph Kosuth/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Giacomo Balla’s "Abstract Speed + Sound" (1913-14) captures the rush and energy of a racing car. Inspired by the Futurist love of movement and speed, Balla translates the motion of a speeding automobile into bold lines and dynamic shapes. This painting, part of a series, explores how the landscape is transformed as a car zooms through it, with crisscross patterns representing the sounds of the car's engine. The work’s energy spills out of the frame, inviting viewers to feel the power of speed. This work is in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Learn more: https://gu.gg/4erQdwF

Happy World Architecture Day!

“Regards for today, I must get out and work, all embraced in thought.” -Vincent Van Gogh In 1887, while living in Paris, Vincent Van Gogh often visited the nearby suburb of Asnières to escape the city and paint in nature. "Roadway with Underpass" (1887) shows a tollhouse and tunnel that once surrounded Paris. The lone figure walking into the dark tunnel adds a sense of mystery. This painting, from Van Gogh’s later years, captures his use of bright colors and energetic brushstrokes, influenced by the art movements of the time. It also hints at ideas he would explore further in later works painted in Arles. 🏞️ Van Gogh believed in painting directly from what he saw in nature: “I don’t invent the whole picture... I find it all ready in nature, only it must be untangled.” This work is on view in our Thannhauser Collection. Learn more: https://gu.gg/3zCBlwr

Senga Nengudi's "Water Composition" series, created in the early 1970s, explores the intersection of sculpture and performance. These works consist of delicate, transparent vinyl tubes filled with colored water, which Nengudi manipulated to create organic, fluid forms evoking the vulnerabilities of the human body. In 2021, we acquired "Water Composition I", now on view in "By Way Of: Material and Motion in the Guggenheim Collection". ___ Pictured: Senga Nengudi, "Water Composition I," 1970/2019.

Goodbyes are always hard. Today, on the last day, we bid farewell to "Jenny Holzer: Light Line". A heartfelt thank you to everyone—both in-person and online—who made this exhibition a part of their journey. Your presence brought these powerful works to life. ___ Photo: Ben Hider Funding for the conservation of "Jenny Holzer: Light Line" was generously provided through a grant from the Bank of America Art Conservation Project. Additional funding was provided by the Collections Council and the International Director's Council.

How does 💡light💡 change the way we experience language? Jenny Holzer’s bright LEDs hang along the edge of the spiraling ramp, facing the center, disrupting the otherwise soft, natural light entering the space from the oculus and ground-floor windows. Holzer's writings, from her 1977–1979 series "Truisms" to later texts exploring the implications of violence and living with loss, highlight the enduring power of language. As the LED light cuts through the space, it draws attention to her words in a new way, forcing viewers to pause and reconsider their meaning, amplifying the tension between the physical and emotional weight of her texts. ⭐️ There are only a few days left to see #JennyHolzerLightLine! ⭐️ Plan your visit: https://gu.gg/47PQKFz Pictured: Jenny Holzer, Detail of "Installation for the Solomon R. Guggenheim," 1979/2024. © 2024 Jenny Holzer, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.