Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Oct. 21, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Oct. 21, 1959, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum opened in New York.
The Guggenheim Foundation was founded in 1937, and its first New York–based venue for the display of art, the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, opened in 1939.
With its exhibitions of Guggenheim’s somewhat eccentric art collection, the unusual gallery provided many visitors with their first encounter with great works. The need for a permanent building to house Guggenheim’s art collection became evident in the early 1940s, and in 1943 Wright gained the commission to design a museum in New York City.
The museum opened to an enthusiastic public on Oct. 21, just six months after Wright’s death.
According to its website, the Guggenheim is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The Guggenheim international constellation of museums includes the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice; the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
In the early 2000s, the Guggenheim Las Vegas museum was open for 15 months.
Wright is a singular character in U.S. history. Wright designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright played a key role in the architectural movements of the 20th century, influencing architects worldwide through his works and mentoring hundreds of apprentices in his Taliesin Fellowship.
Wright believed in designing in harmony with humanity and the environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture.
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the Guggenheim and Wright:
“The Wright home for the surroundings”
“Frank Lloyd Wright mother lode in Illinois town”
“Zillow ‘Gone Wild’ in Utah: Pure ‘60s with a ... drinking fountain?
“D.C. exhibits tell of Frank Lloyd Wright plans that aren’t realities”
“Architect’s fans fret about the future of house”
“Video: Walk through ‘Tirranna,’ one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last designs”
“Guggenheim, Hermitage museums to join forces, open gallery in Vegas”
“Guggenheim in Las Vegas to close its doors Jan. 5″
“Guggenheim lights up new exterior”
“Exhibit hails history and art of motorcycles”
“Art exhibit offers ‘urban therapy’ for NYers”
“Museums nationwide plan tantalizing treats for new year”
“The case of the golden toilet: 4 men charged in theft of a golden toilet called ‘America’”
You can learn more about the Guggenheim here.
