Guggenheim and Spider Bilbao Spain

by Joan Carroll

Title

Guggenheim and Spider Bilbao Spain

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Photography And Digital Art

Description

It isn’t a far stretch to say that the opening of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao Spain singlehandedly made the city of Bilbao a must-visit destination in Spain. The city was in decline in the late 1900s as its major industries of shipbuilding, and coal and steel production became outdated. In the 1990s, the American Guggenheim foundation was in search of a location for a European museum. As unlikely as it seems, the declining city of Bilbao was chosen and in a short period of four years the entire area along the Nervion River was transformed. The architect Frank Gehry was chosen for the project. The rusty dockyards disappeared and were replaced by green spaces, promenades, and a gigantic framework of curved steel. Corners and straight lines disappeared, replaced by waves, arches, and curves. The museum opened in 1997 and was overrun by art and architecture fans from all over the world. The number of visitors exceeded all expectations. One of the artistic highlights is “Maman”, a giant spider created by Louise Bourgeois. Nearly everyone visits Maman and take photographs with/of it. Maman is a bronze, stainless steel, and marble sculpture measuring over 30 ft high and over 33 ft wide (927 x 891 x 1024 cm). It includes a sac containing 32 marble eggs and its abdomen and thorax are made of ribbed bronze. It is said of Maman that “The spider, who protects her precious eggs in a steel cage-like body, provokes awe and fear, but her massive height, improbably balanced on slender legs, conveys an almost poignant vulnerability.” The artist writes: “The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.” Seen from this angle, Maman looms over the museum.

Thank you for visiting my art galleries. If you love armchair traveling, I am confident you will find just the art or gift product that you are looking for! Art works are available as canvas prints, framed prints, acrylic or metal prints, wood prints, or posters. All art works are crafted with museum-quality and archival materials to last for many years. All images are available in a variety of sizes to fit your needs and taste.

If you are looking for a unique gift, you are sure to find it here! Gifts for the home include throw pillows/covers, tapestries, duvet covers, shower curtains, fleece blankets, and beach and bath towels. One-or-a-kind personal and fashion items include tote bags or all sizes, phone cases for iPhones and Android phones, portable battery chargers, t-shirts and sweatshirts, mugs, yoga mats, and spiral notebooks. Visit my Spain gallery at: https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/collections/spain

All products are guaranteed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

FEATURED PHOTO, 1000 Views on 1 Image Group, 5/28/20

FEATURED PHOTO, Travel Art group, 2/3/20

FEATURED PHOTO, No Place Like Home group, 1/28/20

FEATURED PHOTO, The Road to Self Promotion group, 1/14/20

FEATURED PHOTO, The Niche group, 1/12/20

FEATURED PHOTO, The Weekenders group, 1/12/20

FEATURED PHOTO, Nikon Full Frame Cameras group, 1/12/19

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architecture, art, night,

Uploaded

January 11th, 2020

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Viewed 3,963 Times  -  Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/19/2024 at 5:00 PM

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