THE GUGGENHEM MUSEUM, BILBAO &

THE ARCHITECTURE OF FRANK GEHRY

The Guggenheim, designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry opened to the public in 1997. This lecture describes how the Guggenheim foundation came about, and how that led to the commission in Bilbao. It examines the architecture of Frank Gehry, using illustrations from his work, and how the vast asymmetrical, chaotic and fragmented structures were created, including the use of titanium. The lecture ends with an introduction to the collection of paintings, sculptures and installations contained within the museum.

Siân Walters is an art historian and director of Art History in Focus; a lecturer at galleries, art societies, universities and colleges throughout Europe. Her specialist areas include 15th & 16th century Italian Art, Spanish Art & Architecture, Dutch and Flemish Painting and the relationship between Dance & Art. Siân studied at Cambridge University and has lived in France and Italy, where she worked for the eminent Haydn scholar H C Robbins Landon and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice. In 2020 Siân presented the first online courses for The Wallace Collection and The National Gallery. She spends much of the year organising and leading specialist trips for The Arts Society, entitled Cultural Travels from Home, which include visits and livestream tours to many major European art galleries.